A helicopter carrying seven people—one pilot and six passengers crashed in northern Kenya on Wednesday, August 19, killing everyone on board, Kenyan authorities confirmed. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) reported the accident occurred at 9:13 a.m. local time near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, shortly after departing from the Loisaba wildlife reserve.
All seven individuals on board perished, including five Americans, according to the U.S. State Department. The victims were identified as Josh Outram, the pilot and director of African Heli Adventures; José Alberto Suárez, a 55-year-old journalist and president of three Telemundo stations in Florida; and Michele Sensi-Contugi Ycaza, 44, director of Ecuador’s Strategic Intelligence Center. Ecuador’s government confirmed her death in a statement.
The remaining victims included five Americans: Roger Duarte, a Miami seafood entrepreneur; Adam Navaty, Henry Parra, and Susan Suarez, according to Kenyan publication Tuko News. The U.S. Embassy in Kenya stated it was providing consular assistance to the families of the American victims.
Kenyan officials described the flight as a scenic tourist tour over the Samburu region. A video shared on social media showed black smoke billowing from the crash site, located near the Ewaso Nyiro river, which flows through the Samburu National Reserve. The KCAA’s Fredrick Kabunge, director of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID), confirmed no survivors were found.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority is leading the investigation, with support from local and international aviation authorities. The cause of the crash remains unconfirmed, and authorities have not yet released details about potential mechanical failures or environmental factors.
The U.S. State Department and Ecuador’s government have both extended condolences to the families of the victims. NBC Universal mourned the loss of José Alberto Suárez, calling him an exceptional colleague who deeply cared for his teams and communities. U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) also expressed grief over the death of Roger Duarte, a prominent Miami business owner.
Kenyan authorities have not disclosed the nationalities of the remaining victims, pending further identification. The crash has prompted renewed scrutiny of helicopter safety protocols in Kenya’s tourism industry, though no immediate regulatory changes have been announced.