An accident report released by Transport CS James Macharia has left many Kenyans with questions as it revealed that the ill-fated Lake Nakuru chopper pilot was under the influence of alcohol.
The report stated that the chopper “collided with the water surface due to loss of situation awareness by the pilot, who was under the influence of alcohol as depicted from the toxicology results”
The report added that Apollo Malowa who was the pilot in charge had impaired judgement and found it difficult to read the loss of altitude, directing the plane to the left and was unable to read the obstacle proximity from the helicopter. The crash claimed the lives of the pilot and the four passengers who were on board.
The rescue team was able to retrieve Captain Malowa, Ms Veronicah Muthoni and Anthony Kipyegthe bodies after the team searched the bodies 25 times but those of John Mapozi and Sam Gitau were never found.
“It took more than 25 days to locate and retrieve the wreckage of the helicopter and recover three bodies of persons on board. The search for two other bodies on board the helicopter was however unsuccessful even after the search was extended for several days later,” Transport CS James Macharia told NAIROBI NEWS.
During Malowa's burial in Bondo sub-county, her mother denoted that her son left a huge gap since he was hardworking, disciplined and honest who's career was cut short. Muthoni's family denoted that she was a fresh graduate and was looking for ways to earn a living in Nakuru.