US, France join Kenya in Mount Ololokwe helicopter crash probe

The Air Accident Investigations Department (AAID) has formally commenced a joint inquiry with international technical teams following a fatal aviation accident in Samburu County.

Investigators from the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and France's Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses (BEA) joined local officials to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

All seven individuals on board died when the Eurocopter EC130 B4 aircraft went down in the rugged foothills near Mount Ololokwe and caught fire.

Authorities confirmed that post-mortem examinations were completed on four of the victims at the Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi, with procedures for the remaining three underway alongside DNA sampling.

The aircraft was transporting safari guests between Loisaba Conservancy and the Ewaso Ng'iro area when the incident occurred at approximately 9:13 a.m..

Initial recovery efforts faced severe logistical hurdles due to the terrain, requiring assistance from the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) and local operators to access the burned wreckage.

The participation of foreign investigators aligns with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards under Annex 13.

France represents the state of design and manufacture for the aircraft and engine, while the United States holds accredited status due to the fatalities involving five American citizens.

The AAID confirmed that all recoverable aircraft components will be moved under strict security to capital facilities for detailed metallurgical and technical assessment.

Field teams are currently documenting the wreckage layout, reviewing maintenance records, and evaluating available flight-path telemetry.

Investigators emphasized that the objective remains purely safety-focused rather than assigning civil or criminal liability. A preliminary report will be published within 30 days, while the final comprehensive technical analysis is projected for completion within 12 months.

This tragedy represents the second major fatal helicopter event in the country this year, following a February crash in Nandi County.

Local aviation oversight bodies, including the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), continue coordinating air traffic data to assist investigators in mapping the final flight sequence.

The multi-national investigation team will remain on-site in Samburu County until site documentation and component extraction are fully completed.