Helicopter Crash at Mt Ololokwe Claims Seven Lives Including Kenyan Pilot
A helicopter crash near Mt Ololokwe in Samburu kills seven, including pilot Josh Outram and six tourists from the US and Ecuador.
By John Mtongoi Newsroom
August 20, 2026
2 min read
On Wednesday morning, a sightseeing helicopter carrying six tourists crashed near the summit of Mt Ololokwe in Samburu, resulting in seven fatalities including the pilot.
The group had taken off from Loisaba Conservancy in Laikipia County and were capturing aerial footage of the rugged Samburu landscape when the helicopter lost control. Eyewitnesses reported the aircraft hovered close to a cliff edge before its rear rotor struck the rocks, causing it to plunge approximately 300 metres down the mountain.
Eyewitness Accounts and Rescue Efforts
- Local guides observed the helicopter circling the summit multiple times and landing at a popular tourist spot before the crash.
- Some passengers reportedly threw their phones out of the helicopter during the final moments, which were later recovered.
- Rescue teams arrived to find the wreckage engulfed in flames and conducted recovery operations that concluded the following day.
Victims and Investigation
The deceased include Kenyan pilot Josh Outram, director of African Heli Adventures, five American tourists, and one Ecuadorian national. Among the victims were Ecuador’s former intelligence chief Michele Sensi-Contugi and his wife, who held dual Ecuadorian and American citizenship. The identities of the American victims were confirmed by family statements and media outlets.
Authorities have handed over the crash site to investigators from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority to determine the cause of the accident. The helicopter was a Eurocopter EC130 B4 registered as 5Y-GYM and operated by Lady Lori, a chartered flight company.
Context and Safety Concerns
Mt Ololokwe is known for its strong winds, prompting local warnings to pilots. Despite no previous accidents at the summit, community members had erected caution signs and prepared an airstrip, though tourists often prefer landing at the peak.
The Samburu region remains a favored destination for affluent visitors seeking its scenic beauty and exclusive lodges.
