Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Seven Killed in Kenya Helicopter Crash, Including Five Americans
A helicopter carrying tourists crashed in Kenya on Wednesday.
It crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County.
All seven people on board died.
Five of them were American citizens.
Ecuador’s intelligence chief, Michele Sensi-Contugi, and his wife, Stephany, also died.
The helicopter had departed from the Loisaba wildlife conservancy and was traveling toward the Ewaso Ngiro River.
Rescuers had trouble reaching the crash site because the land was difficult and a fire was burning.
Darkness also caused operations to be suspended overnight.
Investigators are trying to learn what caused the crash.
A tourist helicopter crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Kenya’s Samburu County on Wednesday, killing all seven people aboard.
The victims included five American citizens and Ecuadorian intelligence chief Michele Sensi-Contugi and his wife, Stephany.
The aircraft was carrying tourists associated with luxury tour agency &Beyond, reportedly traveling from Loisaba toward the Ewaso Ngiro River.
The Eurocopter EC130 B4 crashed at a site where rough terrain, darkness and an active fire hampered recovery operations.
Kenyan aviation authorities and the Transport Ministry opened an investigation, but the cause remained undetermined.
- Who
- Seven people aboard the helicopter died, including five American citizens, Ecuadorian intelligence chief Michele Sensi-Contugi and his wife, Stephany.
- What
- A tourist helicopter crashed, killing everyone aboard.
- When
- Wednesday morning; the articles do not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- Near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, central Kenya, north of Nairobi.
- Why
- The cause has not been established; Kenyan aviation authorities and the Transport Ministry opened an investigation.
- Deaths
- All seven people aboard the helicopter died.
- Victims identified
- The victims included five American citizens, Michele Sensi-Contugi and his wife, Stephany.
- Aircraft
- The helicopter was identified as a Eurocopter EC130 B4, a single-engine aircraft.
- Flight
- The aircraft was carrying tourists associated with &Beyond and had departed from the Loisaba wildlife conservancy.
- Crash site
- The helicopter crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, Kenya.
- Recovery
- Rough terrain, an active fire and darkness hindered search and recovery efforts.
- Investigation
- Kenyan aviation authorities and the Transport Ministry were investigating the undetermined cause.
Sources
Five US Nationals, Ecuador Intelligence Chief Among 7 Killed in Kenya Helicopter Crash
Kenya Helicopter Crash At Mount Ololokwe Kills 7, Including 5 Americans And Ecuador Intelligence Chief | Video
Ecuador Intel Chief, Five Americans Killed in Kenya Helicopter Crash
No survivors in Kenya helicopter crash; 5 Americans, Ecuador intelligence chief among 7 dead
