Helicopter in Samburu crash identified as Eurocopter EC130 B4
The aircraft that crashed in Samburu County, killing seven, has been identified as a Eurocopter EC130 B4, according to reports.
2 reports on this incident · first at Sep 1, 2026, 7:46 p.m. ET
This report went out within minutes of the first account of it. Early reports are provisional and are frequently revised; where sources disagree, both readings are given.
We last searched for new coverage of this at Sep 1, 2026, 8:09 p.m. ET — checked 3h ago.
Earlier reports
Sep 1, 2026, 7:46 p.m. ETFirst report
Ecuador Intelligence Chief and Wife Among Seven Killed in Samburu Helicopter Crash
A helicopter crash in Samburu County, Kenya, on August 19, 2026, killed all seven people on board, according to capitalfm.africa. The Eurocopter EC130 B4, registration 5Y-GYM, was flying from Loisaba to Ewasonyiro when it crashed at approximately 9:13 a.m. local time.
Among the dead were Ecuador's intelligence chief Michele Sensi-Contugi and his wife Stephany Hollihan Vasconez, capitalfm.africa reported. The helicopter was operated by Lady Lori Kenya Ltd.
The cause of the crash has not been established, according to capitalfm.africa. The Air Accident Investigation Department and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) are investigating. Recovery efforts have been hampered by difficult terrain and an active fire.
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Reference data
From aircraft and geographic registries, not from the news sources. Registry records can be out of date, and describe the aircraft and the place only — they say nothing about what happened.
- Terrain elevation
- 5,732 ft
- Nearest aerodrome
- 6.6 miles SSE of Kisima Airport (HKMI)
Sources
Revision history
- Version 11 Sept 2026, 23:53current
First published.
- Version 11 Sept 2026, 23:46current
First published.
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