A preliminary investigation into the helicopter crash that killed six people, including former Emurua Dikirr MP, Johanna Ng’eno, has pointed to deteriorating weather conditions and severely reduced visibility as key factors leading to the fatal accident in Nandi County.
According to the report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID), the Airbus AS 350 B3 Ecureuil helicopter, registration 5Y-DSB, crashed on February 28, 2026, at Chepkiep in Mosop Sub-County while operating a commercial charter flight.
All six persons on board — one pilot and five passengers — died following the crash.
The helicopter, operated by Youth Aviation Limited, had departed Endebess in Trans-Nzoia County en route to Emurua Dikirr in Narok County when it encountered adverse weather conditions mid-flight.
Investigators established that the aircraft made an unscheduled landing in an open field at Tabolwa after the pilot experienced reduced visibility.
Eyewitness accounts cited in the report indicate that the helicopter landed amid “thick fog, drizzle, and reduced visibility,” conditions that persisted as the pilot attempted to resume the journey.
“The helicopter took off from Tabolwa amid thick fog, drizzle, and reduced visibility, vanishing into the low clouds,” the report states.
Moments later, disaster struck. Within approximately one minute of takeoff, the aircraft collided with rising terrain on a forested ridge about 200 metres from the takeoff point.
Local residents who responded to the crash reported hearing a loud impact before discovering the wreckage engulfed in flames.
Investigators confirmed that the helicopter was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), which require pilots to maintain visual reference with the ground.
However, weather data showed that Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) — including heavy fog, low cloud cover and visibility of less than 20 metres — prevailed in the area at the time.
“The occurrence flight was operated under VFR, during which the aircraft was required to remain clear of clouds and in sight of the surface,” the report notes, highlighting the challenges posed by the prevailing conditions.
Further meteorological analysis revealed moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, and dense cloud formations over Nandi County on the day of the crash, with satellite imagery indicating significant cumulonimbus cloud activity in the region.
The report also details the sequence of events leading to the crash, noting that the helicopter had completed multiple earlier flights that day without incident before encountering deteriorating weather during the final leg of the journey.
Despite the pilot’s extensive experience — with over 4,300 flight hours — investigators found no evidence of mechanical failure prior to impact.
The aircraft had valid airworthiness certification and no recorded technical defects.
The impact was described as high-energy, with the helicopter striking trees before crashing into the terrain and bursting into flames.
“The helicopter was destroyed by impact forces and resultant fire,” the report states.
The AAID emphasised that the investigation remains ongoing, noting that the preliminary report is intended to inform the public and aviation industry rather than assign blame.
“The sole objective of the investigation… shall be the prevention of accidents and incidents. It shall not be the purpose… to apportion blame or liability,” the report states.
Authorities are continuing to analyse flight data and recovered components, with further findings expected in the final report.
