Boni Forest KDF Chopper Crash
The Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) announced on Tuesday that their surveillance helicopter plummeted during a routine patrol in Boni Forest, Lamu County, on Monday night.
In a statement, the KDF identified the crashed aircraft as a Huey Helicopter but did not disclose the number of personnel on board.
As investigations into the accident begin, the KDF has initiated a recovery and evacuation drill. This is the second accident in Kenyan military aircraft this year, and experts are questioning their airworthiness.
“A Kenya Air Force Huey Helicopter was crushed last night while on night patrol in Lamu County. The crew and other military personnel onboard were part of an air surveillance squadron intensifying day and night patrols and surveillance for the ongoing Operation Amani Boni,” KDF stated.
KDF stated in the statement that an investigation team had been dispatched to the site to determine the cause of the collision.
The Huey helicopter is a utility military helicopter designed and produced by the American aerospace corporation Bell Helicopter.
It is the first member of the Huey family and the United States military’s first turbine-powered helicopter.
It has a crew of three and a passenger capacity of fourteen. The Huey helicopter is renowned for its adaptability and dependability and has been utilized in a variety of military and civilian duties.
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The Huey helicopter was introduced in the early 1960s and became a mainstay of the United States military almost immediately.
During the Vietnam War, it was utilized extensively for personnel transport, medical evacuation, and fire support. Huey also played a significant role in the Gulf War and the Iraq War.
In addition to its military use, the Huey helicopter serves several civilian functions, including firefighting, search and rescue, and law enforcement.
It is primarily used to transport military personnel in Kenya, including those involved in special operations and surveillance.
On Thursday, July 20, a second helicopter belonging to the Kenya Defense Forces crashed; however, the military has confirmed that the crew and all passengers on board survived.
The occupants were en route to Nairobi from an official assignment when the helicopter experienced mechanical difficulties and crashed.
The military helicopter, designated as a Fennec Helicopter, reportedly spent little time in the air after takeoff.
Boni Forest KDF Chopper Crash