A chopper that crashed as it attempted to take off at Mwachon in Baringo on Saturday has previously experienced a mechanical problem, as revealed by The Star.
The chopper, registered as 5Y-PKI, is green and white.
In the recent incident, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Kenya Airports Authority Chairman Caleb Kositany escaped unhurt after the chopper failed to take off.
“Arrived safely in Nyatike, Migori County with the Chairman Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to condole with our KAA MD Henry Ogoye who lost his loving mother. Earlier on, we had a small mishap and we thank God we are safe. Thank you all for your concerns, prayers and best wishes. God bless you,” Murkomen wrote on X.
The helicopter is privately owned and provides non-scheduled air services for passengers and cargo within the country.
Photos shared show that the chopper suffered damage on the skids.
On August 10, 2020, then Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe and acting Health Director General Patrick Amoth were forced to abandon it at the Kericho Gold Club grounds and use their private vehicles after several attempts to ignite failed.
The two were on an official duty in the county to assess the level of COVID-19 preparedness.
In February 2024 the same chopper was reported to have crash-landed at a farm in Mathioya, Murang’a county, after developing mechanical problems mid-air.
It remains unclear what the cause of the mishap was with focus now shifting to the Air Accident Investigation Department (AAID) to conduct its probe.
The chopper according to the information available from Aviation Safety Network shows it is a Bell 407 type manufactured in 2010.
Bell 407 is a four-blade, single-engine, civil utility helicopter.
Its cruising speed is 246 km/h and has a maximum takeoff weight of 2, 722 kilograms.
The chopper has a typical seating configuration of seven comprising the pilot and passengers, with five passengers in the main cabin.
Bell 407 is in civil service around the world with airlines, corporations, hospitals, government operators, and private individuals.
It is also in service with several military operators.