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chopper crash

Six Dead After Kenya Helicopter Bursts Into Flames During Takeoff Attempt; MP Killed SEO DES: The helicopter flying from Endebes to Mosoriot hit heavy rain, landed near Chepkiep then crashed while attempting takeoff again later that afternoon SOCIAL: Six people, including Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno, died on 28 February 2026 after an Airbus H125 helicopter (5Y-DSB) crashed in Chepkiep, Mosop Sub-County, Nandi County, Kenya, during poor weather. The aircraft, flying from Endebes to Mosoriot, reportedly made an unscheduled landing due to heavy rain but crashed shortly after takeoff around 4:30 pm, bursting into flames. All six occupants, including pilot Capt. George was declared dead at the scene. The bodies were later moved from Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret to Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has launched a formal investigation as national leaders mourn the third-term MP and call for a transparent probe. Nandi County, Kenya: Six people, including Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament Johana Ng’eno, died on Saturday, 28 February 2026, when a helicopter crashed in Chepkiep, Mosop Sub-County, Nandi County in western Kenya. The aircraft went down in poor visibility, heavy rain and burned on impact, authorities confirmed, prompting a full investigation into the cause of the accident. Initial reports from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and police indicate the helicopter, an Airbus H125 (Eurocopter AS350) registered 5Y-DSB, was en route from Endebes to Mosoriot when it encountered heavy rain and reduced visibility. The aircraft reportedly made an unscheduled landing near Chepkiep due to deteriorating conditions but crashed shortly after attempting to take off again in the late afternoon. Police Chief Samuel Mukuusi confirmed the helicopter crash incident, citing bad weather as a possible cause. "The helicopter crashed minutes after takeoff, and all six people on board unfortunately lost their lives," he said. At approximately 4:30 pm local time, the helicopter lost stability and impacted the ground, bursting into flames on collision. The six occupants, including MP Ng’eno and the pilot, Capt. George was declared dead at the scene. Forensic teams and local police have been working to recover and preserve the remains for formal identification. National and local authorities have now identified all six victims. In addition to Ng’eno and the pilot, the deceased include Robert Kipkoech Keter, Amos Rotich, Nicholas Kosgei, and Wycliffe Kiprotich Rono. The bodies were removed from the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) morgue in Eldoret and flown to Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi following procedures to begin post-mortem and family notifications. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said its Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID) has launched a formal inquiry to determine the circumstances leading to the crash. Investigators will assess flight data, aircraft maintenance records, weather conditions, and radio communications as part of the probe. Preliminary findings are expected once fieldwork and technical analysis are complete. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula directed that the victims’ bodies be transported to Nairobi and expressed deep condolences to the families. He described the incident as a national tragedy and called on Kenyans to stand in solidarity with the bereaved. President William Ruto also mourned Ng’eno’s passing, acknowledging his service and leadership on behalf of his constituents in Emurua Dikirr. Political figures across the spectrum have urged transparency in the ongoing investigation. Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka called for a swift and thorough inquiry, while some political leaders have suggested an independent review to address public concerns surrounding the crash. Ng’eno, 54, was serving his third consecutive term in Parliament, first elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2017 and 2022. He chaired the Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works, and was instrumental in the passage of Kenya’s Affordable Housing Act, 2024. The tragic helicopter accident has sparked national mourning and debate over aviation safety standards amid Kenya’s rainy season. Authorities have pledged to release findings once the investigation concludes, and families continue to be notified as formal processes unfold.

Helicopter Crash

Six Dead After Kenya Helicopter Bursts Into Flames During Takeoff Attempt; MP Killed

Aviation Today News Desk / March 2, 2026

Nandi County, Kenya: Six people, including Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament Johana Ng’eno, died on Saturday, 28 February 2026, when […]

Uttarakhand, India: A Bell 407 helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation crashed in a remote forested area near Garudchatti shortly after departing from Kedarnath, killing all seven people on board. The helicopter, which took off at around 5:30 a.m., was en route to Guptkashi when it reportedly encountered dense fog and poor visibility, leading to loss of control and a fatal impact into a hillside near Trijuginarayan. The victims included five pilgrims: Captain Rajveer Singh Chauhan - Pilot Rajkumar Jaiswal, Shraddha Jaiswal and their two-year-old daughter Kashi - Uttar Pradesh Tushti Singh - Uttar Pradesh Vikram Singh Rawat - Uttarakhand Vinod Neg - Temple Committee Staff member A retired Indian Army officer, Captain Chauhan had over 2,000 hours of flying experience. The impact caused the helicopter to catch fire, leaving all seven occupants charred beyond recognition. Their remains were taken to Rudraprayag District Hospital for identification and medical procedures. Eyewitnesses in nearby villages reported hearing a loud explosion minutes after the helicopter disappeared from sight. Local police and emergency responders reached the crash site swiftly, though the difficult terrain hampered access. Authorities have launched a multi-agency investigation into the crash. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are leading the inquiry. Sonprayag Police have filed a case under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and under Section 10 of the Aircraft Act, holding Aryan Aviation and its executives accountable for operating flights despite reported poor weather conditions in the area. In immediate response, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered the suspension of all helicopter operations in the Char Dham circuit until further notice. The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) has also been directed to audit all existing helicopter operators and enforce stricter compliance with aviation safety standards. This is not the first fatal crash in the region. The Kedarnath route has seen several aviation accidents in the past decade: On May 8, 2025, another Bell helicopter (VT-OXF) crashed into a deep gorge near Gangnani, Uttarkashi, during a Yamunotri pilgrimage flight. Six people died, and one passenger survived with critical injuries. On October 18, 2022, a Kestrel Aviation Bell 407 helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff from Kedarnath, killing all seven occupants. The deadliest incident occurred on June 25, 2013, during the Uttarakhand floods, when an Indian Air Force Mi-17 V5 helicopter carrying rescue personnel crashed north of Gaurikund, killing 20 onboard, including IAF crew and NDRF members. These incidents, along with non-fatal emergency landings in recent months, have raised concerns over helicopter operations in high-altitude pilgrimage zones. Factors like sudden weather changes, difficult topography, and pressure to maintain tight flight schedules have been repeatedly cited in previous DGCA reports. According to official records and media reports, at least 40 people have died in helicopter accidents linked to Uttarakhand’s Char Dham region since 2013, making it one of the most hazardous civilian helicopter corridors in the country. Safety recommendations such as mandating twin-engine helicopters, advanced weather monitoring systems, and restricting operations to highly experienced pilots have been discussed but not uniformly implemented. Aviation regulators are now expected to fast-track new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) specific to pilgrimage routes. These may include real-time weather surveillance at helipads, coordination with local authorities before takeoff, and stricter penalties for violating operational norms during marginal conditions. Families of the deceased are expected to receive compensation from both the operator and the state government, pending the outcome of the inquiry. Further announcements are likely following the submission of the preliminary AAIB report.

Helicopter Crash

7 Killed in Uttarakhand Helicopter Crash, Over 40 Dead in Uttarakhand Since 2013

Aviation Today News Desk / June 16, 2025

Picture Credits: uksdrf (X) Uttarakhand, India: A Bell 407 helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation crashed in a remote forested area

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