A scenic helicopter flight in Kenya turned tragic on August 19, 2026, when a Eurocopter EC130 B4 crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, killing all seven people on board, including six tourists and the pilot.
According to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, the helicopter crashed at around 9:13 a.m. local time while flying from a wildlife conservancy in Loisaba toward Ewaso Nyiro. Smoke was reportedly visible from the crash site after the aircraft came down in the rugged mountainous terrain.
The remote location created challenges for rescue teams. The Kenya Red Cross said the site was initially inaccessible, while drones were deployed to assess the area and help determine the safest way for emergency teams to reach the wreckage.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the nationalities of those killed. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Transport Ministry and Air Accident Investigations Department are coordinating the response and investigation.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft, flight path, weather conditions, maintenance records and pilot qualifications to determine what led to the accident.