The helicopter that crashed in Turkana was not worth a billion shillings as it was earlier alleged. Previous information had been alleged as the pilot was linked to Ruto’s night vision helicopter which is estimated to cost roughly Ksh 1 billion after undergoing customization.
The helicopter, which was exclusively used for VIP transport, was the first of the Bell manufactured type in Africa, according to its manufacturer, Bell Company.
According to the company, the helicopter was shipped from Bell’s facility in Mirabel, Canada, and delivered in September last year at the newly established Kenya Civil Aviation Authority facility in Ruiru, where it was reassembled.
Investigators, who are at the crash site, revealed that Mr Magonga flew the helicopter at night in a bush without navigation facilities, contrary to civil aviation regulations.
“We started investigations on Monday at the crash site and we hope to finalise them tomorrow. We will find out whether the aircraft was equipped and certified to fly at night, and if the pilot was certified to fly at night,” Captain Martyne Lunani, the director of Aircraft Accident Investigation Department, told the Nation.
The fatal helicopter, a Bell 505X, costing about Sh450 million, came tumbling down on Sunday night at Central Island, an area made up of three active volcanoes which emit sulphurous smoke and steam, adding to the gem that is the blue-green waters of Lake Turkana.
Whereas the Bell 505 X went down, another helicopter which it was flying with, a Robinson 44 model, made it to the destination, Lobolo camp situated at Central Island.