A helicopter crash in Turkana's Central Island has sparked an investigation into whether the pilot was certified for night flights, with three U.S. citizens among the deceased.
The Bell 505X, valued at Sh450 million, was reassembled in Ruiru before being delivered to Kenya in September 2018. It had only operated for six months before the accident. The aircraft, the first Bell model in Africa, was initially flown by KIDL CEO Captain Marco Brighetti to Nairobi for VIP transport.
Investigators confirmed the pilot, Captain Mario Magonga, violated civil aviation regulations by flying without navigation equipment in remote terrain. The crash occurred as the helicopter traveled to Lobolo camp, while a companion Robinson 44 model reached its destination.
Magonga, who frequently piloted Deputy President William Ruto, faced scrutiny over his night flying credentials. The National Police Service is assisting with the probe due to the high-profile nature of the passengers.
The deceased included three U.S. citizens: Kyle Forti, a Colorado Republican strategist; Brandon Stapper, an entrepreneur with multiple companies; and Anders Jesiah, whose background remains under investigation.
Bell's Africair representative had previously stated the aircraft was poised to expand its presence across Africa, but the crash has raised questions about safety protocols and regulatory compliance.
