Festus Ng’eno says he is safe after helicopter crash in Kericho
Environment principal secretary thanks public after forestry service helicopter crashes during takeoff, leaving aircraft extensively damaged
NAIROBI, Oct 13 – Environment Principal Secretary Dr. Festus Ng’eno said he was safe after a Kenya Forest Service helicopter carrying him crashed during takeoff at Kericho Golf Club on Monday, injuring occupants and extensively damaging the aircraft.
In a statement issued on Monday evening, Ng’eno thanked members of the public, colleagues and friends for their messages of support after the incident.
“I thank God for our safety, and I am grateful that all occupants on board the helicopter survived the incident,” he said.
The AS350B3e helicopter, registration 5Y-FSK, crashed at 12:24 p.m. on Monday, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID) said. The aircraft was operated by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS).
The AAID said four people were on board and there were no fatalities. The KFS identified the occupants as one pilot and three passengers. Some early reports put the number aboard at five, but the discrepancy was not explained in the initial public statements.
Neither agency identified the pilot or passengers in its initial public statements.
The AAID said investigators had been deployed to collect evidence and that the investigation was ongoing.
Photographs from the scene showed extensive damage to the helicopter, including the separation of its tail section from the main fuselage.
Witnesses at the golf club said the helicopter appeared to struggle to gain altitude before crashing onto the grounds. One account said the pilot had stepped out to inspect the tail before returning to the cockpit. The AAID had not released findings on the sequence of events.
Heavy rain was reported in the area around the time of the crash, although authorities had not said whether weather conditions played a role.
Initial reports said injured occupants were taken to medical facilities in Kericho, including South Rift Hospital. The AAID’s initial notice did not specify the injuries sustained by individual occupants.
