In brief
A scenic flight in central Kenya ended in tragedy when a Eurocopter EC130 B4 crashed at Mount Ololokwe, killing six tourists and the pilot. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has begun investigations, coordinating with the transport ministry and using drones to reach the inaccessible crash site. The helicopter was destined for a wildlife conservancy, and similar accidents have plagued the region in recent years.
Crash Details
A Eurocopter EC130 B4 helicopter crashed at Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, central Kenya, on 19 August 2026, killing six tourists and the pilot.
The aircraft was on a scenic flight from a wildlife conservancy in Loisaba to Ewaso Nyiro river when the crash occurred at 09:13 local time (06:13 GMT).
Kenya's Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirmed the accident and is coordinating with the Transport Ministry and the Air Accident Investigation Department to investigate. Drones are being deployed because the crash site is not yet accessible.
The victims' nationalities are still unconfirmed. This incident follows earlier Kenyan helicopter tragedies – a 2024 army helicopter crash that killed the military chief, a 2021 soldier crash near Nairobi, and a February 2026 county crash that killed six people.
Samburu County, known for its wildlife conservancies and scenic landscapes, remains a popular tourist destination.
