A photo of the 5Y-NMJ registered AS350 chopper before it took off from Jarika Hotel, Nakuru, Saturday. Photo/nation.co.ke
An AS350 chopper crashed in Lake Nakuru in the early hours of Saturday morning claiming five lives aboard.
The chopper reportedly hit a tree before it came tumbling down and plunged into the lake a few minutes after takeoff from Jarika hotel.
Here are few things to know About the chopper,
It costs a whopping 200 million shillings
According to the Aerospatiale website, the company which manufactures airbus helicopters and air crafts. You have to part with up to 2.5 million dollars to acquire one of these, that is exclusive of regime taxes and other cost.
It was manufactured in 2006
This particular model of helicopter was developed and tested in early 2006 as part of the avionics improvements strategy by Aerospatiale for personal and utility commercial utility purposes.
It boasts of several exemplary features such as: 4 channel radio, cabin floor windows and night vision google compatibility.
It also exudes comfort owing to the 35.86ft length, 8.14ft girth and 10.53ft height which ensures provision of sufficient space coupled with stylence layout finishing.
It has a wide array of uses
The AS350 has provided services for a wide array of customers ranging from government’s security agencies to private individuals and emergency medical teams.
This is due to its ability to operate in different terrains and fly as high as 29030ft altitude and a climb rate of approximately 8.5 miles per second.
It also has a weight of 2,453kg which makes it convenient for fast movement and multi role configuration.
It might have been owned by a prominent politician
According to the aviation and security authority website the chopper was operated and serviced by Flex Air charters but the ownership is designated as private, contrary to popular sentiments that the operator owned it.
The branding and signage inscribed on the chopper also spoke volumes about its ownership as most operators do not allow branding of their helicopters and aircraft by clients.