Bad weather, pilot’s poor judgement caused Meru chopper crash: report

Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has issued a statement detailing the cause of the Meru chopper crash last year.

The June 13, 2020, accident was reportedly caused by the pilot’s lack of situational awareness.

“The investigation identified the probable cause of the accident as the pilot’s lack of situational awareness and the decision to continue with the flight despite deteriorating weather conditions that occasioned spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of Helicopter control,” the statement read.

Investigators also established that the National Police Service Air Wing (NPSAW) standard operating procedures did not provide guidance in a number of areas, further contributing to poor decision making.

The ill-fated helicopter crashed on its way to Isiolo after its crew decided to perform a precautional landing on account of bad weather.

Investigators established that the helicopter crashed after it collided with trees while attempting to land in heavy fog.

Six people among them two pilots were extricated from the wreckage; two with serious injuries and four others with varying degrees of injuries