The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has confirmed a fatal helicopter crash in Samburu County involving a Eurocopter EC130 B4, registration 5Y-GYM, popularly known as Lady Lori.
The aircraft crashed at around 9:13 a.m. while travelling from Loisaba to Ewaso Nyiro. The flight had originated in Soiyan, Laikipia, before stopping at Loisaba Conservancy, where the occupants reportedly disembarked and took photographs before continuing their journey.
Eyewitnesses later reported seeing thick black smoke and intense flames rising from the mountain slopes shortly after the aircraft crashed.
Samburu County Police Commander David Nkoroi confirmed that all seven occupants died at the scene. They included a Kenyan pilot and six foreign nationals,four American citizens and two Ecuadorian nationals.
The Ministry of Roads and Transport’s Air Accident Investigation Department is leading investigations into the crash.
Police said the exact cause of the accident had not been established, with investigators expected to examine possible mechanical failure and pilot error as part of the probe.
