The Eurocopter EC130 B4 helicopter, operated by Lady Lori Helicopters, crashed at approximately 9:13 AM local time (06:13 GMT) while on a scenic flight from the Loisaba Conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro River, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. The helicopter was carrying six tourists and the pilot.
The Victims: A Roll Call of Prominent Figures
Ecuador's government confirmed that Michele Sensi-Contugi, 44, Director General of the Strategic Intelligence Center of Ecuador, and his wife Stephany Hollihan were among those killed. Sensi-Contugi was appointed to his position in 2024 and was a key ally of President Daniel Noboa. According to diplomatic officials, both Sensi-Contugi and his wife held dual Ecuadorian and Italian citizenship.
The five American victims included José Alberto Suárez, 55, a respected media executive who served as President and General Manager of Telemundo television stations in Orlando, Tampa and Fort Myers-Naples, Florida. NBCUniversal, his employer, described him as "a deeply respected leader and beloved friend and colleague" in a memo to staff.
The other Americans were identified as Roger Duarte, a prominent Miami-based food entrepreneur; Adam Navaty; Henry Parra; and Suian Suarez.
The pilot was identified as Josh Outram, a respected Kenyan aviator and founder of Africa Heli Adventures. Loisaba Conservancy, where Outram worked as a pilot between 2020 and 2023, paid tribute to him as an "accomplished aviator" and "dedicated conservationist." The conservancy noted that Outram had been involved in elephant rescues, aerial surveillance and emergency responses involving people and wildlife.
Search and Recovery Efforts
The crash site in the foothills of Mount Ololokwe, a popular tourist destination known for its dramatic scenery, was initially inaccessible to emergency teams due to rugged terrain and an active fire at the wreckage. The Kenya Red Cross deployed drones to survey the remote area, while ground teams worked to access the site.
The Air Accident Investigation Department under the Ministry of Roads and Transport is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash, with the KCAA coordinating the response with other agencies. Officials have pointed to possible technical or pilot error as a preliminary cause, but no official determination has been made.
Reactions and Condolences
Ecuador's presidential office expressed "most heartfelt condolences" over the deaths of Sensi-Contugi and his wife. Former Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso also paid tribute on social media.
The Media Owners Association of Kenya paid tribute to Suárez, noting that his work had "built a quiet bridge between our media worlds." "Many of our member stations have carried Telemundo's content over the years, bringing the shows he helped bring to life into Kenyan homes," the association said.
Lady Lori Helicopters said it was "deeply saddened" by the accident and extended sympathies to the guests, crew, their families and all those affected. The luxury tour agency &Beyond confirmed that the helicopter was carrying its guests.
A Pattern of Tragedy
Helicopter crashes have occurred with increasing regularity in Kenya, a country with a vibrant tourism industry that depends on domestic aviation to ferry visitors to distant destinations. In February 2026, a helicopter crash in the Rift Valley killed six people, including a member of parliament. In 2024, Kenya's military chief, General Francis Omondi Ogolla, died in a helicopter crash in western Kenya. In June 2021, at least 10 soldiers were killed when their helicopter crashed near Nairobi.
The tragedy in Samburu County, which has killed seven people from three continents, has once again highlighted the risks associated with Kenya's aviation sector and the devastating consequences when air travel in remote areas goes wrong.
With reporting from BBC, Reuters, AP News, The Star Kenya and Citizen Digital.
