Helicopter crash kills six on scenic flight in Kenya

Sun Sep 06 2026 07:46:17 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A Eurocopter EC130 B4 crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu county, killing all six passengers on board.

A Eurocopter EC130 B4 crashed on a scenic flight from the Losaiba wildlife conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro river near Mount Ololokwe, killing all six passengers. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority is coordinating investigations, with the transport ministry and Air Accident Investigations Department leading inquiries. The crash site is seen in smoke over the mountain, and the area remains inaccessible to ground teams, relying on drones for assessment. Kenyan helicopter accidents have been frequent in recent years, prompting calls for stricter safety measures.

Helicopter crash kills six on scenic flight in Kenya

A Eurocopter EC130 B4 crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu county early this morning at around 0913 local time, killing all six passengers on board, according to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Department.

The helicopter was apparently carrying tourists on a scenic flight from the Losaiba wildlife conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro river, a route popular for wildlife viewing.

Local media reports that the accident site is visible as smoke rises over the mountain, while the Kenya Red Cross notes the area remains inaccessible to ground teams, relying on drones for assessment.

Kenya Civil Aviation Authority is coordinating investigations, with the transport ministry and the Air Accident Investigations Department leading inquiries into the circumstances of the crash.

Helicopter mishaps have been relatively common in Kenya, with previous incidents including a February 2024 crash that killed six people, a 2024 senior military officer death in a similar shoot, and a 2021 accident that claimed ten soldiers near Nairobi.