- Officials aware of the process say investigations could take six months to even a year and more.
- In July 2023, MPs have petitioned the government to make public reports of all air accidents that have happened in the country in the last 30 years.
Image: KDF
When the helicopter carrying Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla and nine other officers tragically crashed, it sent shockwaves across the nation leaving Kenyans grieving and searching for answers.
With investigations into the cause of the crash having commenced, it is apparent that the process of uncovering the truth may be more complex and time-consuming than anticipated.
From intricate aviation analysis to military protocol and safety concerns, there are numerous factors contributing to the prolonged wait for answers.
Looking at the previous air accidents in the country, it is evident that only a few reports have been made public.
Officials aware of the process say investigations could take six months to even a year and more.
That of Interior minister George Saitoti and his assistant Orwa Ojode could be the only one that took the least time of only four months since the incident occurred.
Security experts attributed this to its prominence and the sensitivity of the matter.
A report released by the commission chaired by then Justice Kalpana Rawal cited pilot error, bad weather and the condition of the helicopter battery as some of the possible causes
According to the report, the two pilots were not fully experienced to fly in a bad weather.
These delays in making such reports public and in time have been a matter of concern to Kenyans and more so leaders.
In July 2023, MPs have petitioned the government to make public reports of all air accidents that have happened in the country in the last 30 years.
Of concern to the legislators are those involving prominent leaders whose reports have never been released several years since the investigations were concluded.
"...we can't be investigating accidents in vain, we must have a report on why it happened and if the recommendations given have been implemented or not," Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa said.
Barasa said the reports must include the details on procedures used in aircraft investigations and the recommendations given.
"We want to know the procedures used by the investigators on situations where an aircraft mishap has occurred, how long they take to come up with the report, the framework of the report and if the recommendations have been implemented," Barasa said.
Air accident investigation involves gathering, recording and analysis of all available information to the issuance of safety recommendations, if there was any, the determination of the causes if possible and the completion of a final report.
President William Ruto on Thursday revealed that Kenya Airforce has already constituted an air investigations team that will be tasked with conducting the probe into the incident.
The team will have to carefully consider all factors that may have caused it including human error, mechanical failure and environmental conditions.
Of particular concern to the team are the flight data recorder commonly referred to as black box that monitors the aircraft and cockpit crew.
Nearly all commercial planes have these devices but not all helicopters.
However, some advanced helicopters may have similar systems that fulfill similar functions.
These systems are often referred to as Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) systems or Flight Data Recorders (FDRs) in the context of helicopters.
They serve to record flight data such as altitude, airspeed, and rotor RPM, engine parameters, and other relevant information.
This equipment reveals details of the events immediately preceding the accident.
Military black boxes are particularly protected from high speeds and loss during aircraft breakups.
These “black boxes” are not typically black as referred to but rather bright yellow or orange in color.
They are made to be bright color to assist in locating it after an accident.
But, the device may not necessarily reveal the cause of the crash especially in the case of the chopper that claimed the life of Ogolla.
Those aware of the probe says there was no communication that reached the control tower to the effect the pilot experienced difficulties controlling the plane.
"The crash happened so fast, in fact, it was within a few minutes after taking off," said the official.
The official added once recovered the device has to be shipped to the manufacturer to unpack the data.
Probe into cause of Ogolla's chopper crash to take longer