This archive report was first published on 24 June 2021.
KDF Mi-171E Chopper Crash in Kajiado: Key Features ¶
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Mi-171E helicopter that crashed in Kajiado on June 24, 2021, was on a training mission when it burst into flames, killing 10 soldiers and injuring 13 others.
According to the KDF, the Mi-171E is a multipurpose helicopter produced by the Russian company Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant and developed by the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant.
Here are some key features of the Mi-171E helicopter:
- It is made of high-strength aluminium metal and has a five-bladed main rotor and a three-bladed tail rotor.
- It is powered by two enhanced VK-2500-03 engines, which use up to 2,400 hp (horsepower) take-off power and 2,700hp contingency power.
- It flies up to a maximum speed of 250km/h.
- It has a state-of-the-art air-conditioning system, leather-wrapped armchairs, and sound insulators.
- It can be used for patrolling, forest fire-fighting, medical assistance, search-and-rescue (SAR) missions, and disaster response.
- For SAR missions, it is fitted with searchlight, rappelling equipment, loudspeaker station, heli-bucket, and radiolocation systems.
- It also has a ground proximity warning system (GPWS) which notifies the crew of collisions and objects in the vicinity.
- It is capable of flying in adverse weather conditions and can be flown during nighttime special and covert operations.
- It has night vision goggles which boost its navigation equipment.
- It has an auxiliary power plant, upgraded transmissions, and internal fuel tanks.
- One plane costs approximately Ksh1.2 billion.
The Mi-171E helicopter is a versatile aircraft designed for various military and civilian operations.
