The Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) on Tuesday, September 19, released an official statement informing the public of a helicopter crash that occurred in Boni Forest, Lamu County, during a routine patrol on Monday night. According to KDF, the aircraft involved in the crash was a Huey Helicopter.
The KDF did not disclose the number of soldiers on board at the time of the incident. However, information reported by Garowe Online, suggests there were casualties with indications that there may potentially be no survivor.
This incident marks the second helicopter crash this year, raising concerns among experts about the airworthiness of Kenya’s military aircraft.
In July 20, 2023, another KDF chopper crashed in Baringo as the crew was preparing to travel back to Nairobi. However, all the crew and passengers on board survived.
Regarding the Monday incident, the KDF statement, stated that the crash occurred during a routine nighttime patrol in Lamu County.
The crew and other military personnel on board were part of an air surveillance squadron tasked with intensifying both day and night patrols and surveillance as part of Operation Amani Boni.
A board of inquiry has been swiftly dispatched to the crash site to ascertain the cause of the incident.
The Huey is a versatile helicopter used during the Vietnam war
The Huey helicopter is a versatile military aircraft designed and manufactured by the American aerospace company, Bell Helicopter. It holds the distinction of being the first member of the Huey family and the inaugural turbine-powered helicopter utilized by the United States military.
Capable of accommodating a crew of three and up to 14 passengers, the Huey helicopter is renowned for its adaptability and dependability, finding applications in various military and civilian roles.
Bell developed the powerful helicopter in the mid-1950s. They also produced more than 16,000 units between 1955 and 1976, over 7,000 of which served in Vietnam.
The aircraft were used primarily for troop and cargo transport, medical evacuations, and aerial attack. Hueys have also been used in civilian roles such as firefighting, humanitarian aid efforts, research operations, and search-and-rescue duties.
The Huey was developed as the Bell Model 204 and incorporated lessons learned during the Korean War about helicopter operations. A larger Model 205 was introduced in 1961, more familiarly known as the UH-1D.
Hueys have served with all branches of the U.S. military, as well as multiple U.S. government agencies. They have also been used in at least 48 foreign countries with many still in use even today.
In Kenya, the Huey helicopter primarily serves as a means of transportation for military personnel, including special operations and surveillance missions.
