Helicopter Crash Near Mount Ololokwe Kills Seven, Including Ecuador Intelligence Chief and Five Americans

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Helicopter Crash Near Mount Ololokwe Kills Seven, Including Ecuador Intelligence Chief and Five Americans

Samburu, Kenya — August 20, 2026: A tourist helicopter crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County on Wednesday morning, killing all seven people on board, Kenyan authorities confirmed. Among the victims were Ecuador’s intelligence chief, his wife, a prominent Telemundo executive, and other American business leaders, along with the Kenyan pilot.

The Eurocopter EC130 B4, registration 5Y-GYM and operated by Lady Lori Helicopters (also referred to as Lady Lori Kenya Ltd), went down at approximately 9:13 a.m. local time. The aircraft was on a charter scenic flight for guests of safari operator &Beyond, travelling from the Loisaba Conservancy (or Suyian/Soyian area in Laikipia County) toward the Ewaso Nyiro region. It crashed in rugged terrain at the foot of the mountain, a popular site known for its dramatic rock formations, wildlife, and sunset views.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirmed the accident and stated that the Air Accident Investigation Department under the Ministry of Roads and Transport is leading the probe into the cause. Eyewitnesses reported thick black smoke and intense flames rising from the site shortly after the crash. Difficult terrain and an active fire initially hampered search and recovery efforts by police, Kenya Red Cross teams, and other responders. Additional personnel were dispatched from Isiolo, and by Thursday authorities reported that some bodies had been recovered.

All seven occupants perished. The pilot was identified as Josh Outram (also spelled Outran), a fourth-generation Kenyan with more than 15 years of experience flying in northern Kenya’s conservation areas. He was director of African Heli Adventures and known for connecting visitors to remote landscapes.

Passengers included Michele Sensi-Contugi (also referred to as Michael Contugi), 44, Director General of Ecuador’s Center for Strategic Intelligence (CIES) or National Intelligence Centre. A dual Italian-Ecuadorian citizen and close associate of President Daniel Noboa, Sensi-Contugi had previously served briefly as Minister of the Interior/Government in 2024 and was a businessman in manufacturing. He was travelling as a tourist with his wife, Stephany Hollihan Vasconez (also reported as Hollihan Yeaza or variations of Suian Suarez), a fashion designer and dual US-Ecuadorian citizen. The couple is survived by two children. Ecuador’s presidency and Transport Minister Roberto Luque issued statements of condolence.

The US State Department confirmed that five American citizens were among the dead. They included José Alberto Suárez, president and general manager of several Telemundo stations in Florida (including Telemundo 31, 49, and Fort Myers–Naples) and an NBCUniversal executive; Roger Duarte (or Roger Edward Duarte), founder of the Miami-based stone crab delivery company George Stone Crab; Adam Hlavaty (also listed as Adam Navaty or Adam Martin Hlavaty), co-founder of real estate firm Mrkt Group; and Henry Parra, an aviation software executive. Family statements and US media reports expressed profound grief.

Lady Lori Helicopters expressed deep sadness in a statement, offering sympathies to the guests, crew, families, and all affected. Kenya’s Tourism Ministry also mourned the deaths, noting the country’s reliance on scenic flights for its thriving safari industry. Helicopter accidents have occurred with some regularity in remote tourist areas as the sector expands.

Investigators have not yet determined whether weather, mechanical issues, pilot error, or another factor caused the crash. Recovery operations and the formal inquiry continue amid the challenging landscape of northern Kenya.