Kajiado crash: What you need to know about the Mi-171E chopper

The aircraft went up in flames after crashing in Kajiado on June 24, 2021. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]

A military aircraft crashed at Eremet area in Oltinga, Kajiado West today morning.

KDF spokesperson Zipporah Kioko said in a statement that the helicopter was on a training mission when it went down and burst into flames.

Kioko identified the model of the aircraft as an Mi-171E copter.

Graphics: The Standard

Here’s what you need to know about the Mi-171E:

Specifications:

The Mi-171E is an advanced, multi-purpose chopper. It is a modern export variant of the Mi-8 medium multi-mission helicopter

Manufacturer: Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters

Aircraft Type: Multi-mission helicopter

Crew: Three

Passengers: Up to 26

Maximum speed: 250km/h

Maximum operational ceiling: 6,000 metres

Operates in temperatures ranging between: 50°C and -50°C

Take-off power: 2,400 horsepower

Weight: The aircraft weighs around 7,489kgs and its maximum take-off weight is 13,000kgs.

Design features:

Built to fly in adverse weather conditions

Equipped for special operations during the night

Highly effective during missions in mountainous regions and in hot climates

Special fittings include search light, rappelling equipment, loudspeaker station, heli-bucket, radiolocation system

Ground proximity warning system

Physical features:

Features a metallic fuselage made of high-strength aluminum alloys

Its fuselage integrates a five-bladed main rotor and a three-bladed tail rotor

The under hull is installed with a fixed try-cycle landing gear system

Source: US Homeland Security.