Witnesses:Ill-fated chopper flew very low, made strange noise

By Vitalis Kimutai

The aircraft that crashed on Sunday could have developed mechanical problems shortly after take-off at Wilson Airport.

Eye witnesses said that long before it crashed into Kibiku forest, the aircraft was flying too low and wobbling.

Nyatike MP Omondi Anyanga came out of his house in Nairobi’s Karen area to watch the low flying plane.

“The aircraft was flying dangerously low and made a strange sound a clear indication something was amiss,” Anyanga said.

Anyanga said the air craft was wobbling as it flew past his house and that he gazed at it for about a minute before retreating indoors.

“Once it passed the house and covered by trees in the area, I returned indoors only to be greeted by breaking news of a plane crash a few minutes later,” Anyanga said.

The MP who is a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Foreign relations said it was clear that the problem started once the plane was airborne.

“It takes about three minutes from Wilson to my house and another four minutes to the scene of the incident. I am wondering why the pilot did not return for emergency landing to the airport,” Anyanga said during an interview with The Standard.

Unconfirmed reports indicated that the aircraft caught fire before it crashed into the forest killing all the six occupants.

“As the plane descended, it was emitting fire in the rear side. It disintegrated with a bang as it crashed into the forested areas,” said Hellen Maison.

charred remains

Maison said residents rushed to the scene to rescue the occupants only to be greeted by their charred remains.

“The engine was emitting a hiccupping sound as it struggled to power the aircraft before the crash,” Maison stated.

Former Makadara MP Rueben Ndolo said the Government should immediately ban all police aircraft from flying.

“The Government, as a matter of urgency, should shut down the police air wing and order an immediate proper servicing of all the helicopters under it,” said Ndolo.

Ndolo said it was sad that a number of the aircraft that had previously been involved in mishaps were still operating without being serviced.

“For how long are we going to sit back and watch Kenyans in their prime age are killed through such incidences resulting from negligence?,” posed Ndolo.

The plane disintegrated into small parts which were strewn all over the scene.

Wads of notes were licked by fire while others in bundles were strewn at the scene.

A heavy metallic part of the plane was placed on top of recovered currencies to prevent it from being blown away or being stolen.

Body parts were flung tens of metres from the scene while partly burnt shoes and personal effects, including national identity cards and other vital documents being were recovered from the wreckage.

Pistols believed to belong to the aides of the fallen ministers were also recovered. Youths climbed trees to get a glimpse of the wreckage.