How rock strike sent helicopter plunging 360 metres in Mt Ololokwe crash

By  David Muchui

Correspondent

Nation Media Group

According to a preliminary report published by Kenya's Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID), "the collision instantly severed the landing-gear, causing the chopper to tumble down the steep mountainside and plunge for over 360 metres at the base of the cliff."

"The impact resulted in the separation of the landing-gear assembly, after which the fuselage and remaining aircraft structure descended the mountainside and over the cliff, coming to rest at its base. The helicopter was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. All seven occupants, comprising the pilot and six passengers, sustained fatal injuries," the report states.

The accident claimed the lives of Ecuador's intelligence chief, Michele Sensi-Contugi, and his wife, Stephany Hollihan Yeaza, who held Ecuadorian and American citizenship, as well as 36-year-old Kenyan pilot and director of African Heli Adventures, Josh Outram.

Other victims were American citizens José Alberto Suárez, the president and general manager of Spanish TV stations Telemundo 31, Telemundo 49 and Telemundo Ft. Myers–Naples; Roger Duarte, the founder of George Stone Crab, a stone crab home delivery company; Adam Hlavaty, the co-founder of Mrkt Group, a real estate development company; and Henry Parra, an aviation software executive from Miami.

AAID preliminary investigations established that the charter flight operated by Lady Lori (Kenya) Limited left Loisaba Conservancy at 6:38am on August 19 for a scenic flight along the Ewaso Nyiro River before proceeding towards Mt Ololokwe for a scheduled breakfast stop.

"Upon arrival at the mountain, the helicopter flew low parallel to the cliff face to facilitate photography. As the pilot climbed above the ridgeline and initiated a 180-degree left turn down the steep slope, the skid struck the rock outcrop near the summit," the report indicates.

According to automated tracking data, the aircraft's final transmission occurred at 9:13:12am at an altitude of 6,500 feet.

The investigation further established that the pilot held a valid Commercial Pilot Licence (Helicopters) issued by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).

The report also shows that the pilot was highly experienced, having logged 5,201.3 flying hours.

"The pilot also held a valid Class 1 Medical Certificate without limitations, issued on November 4, 2025, and valid for twelve months to December 3, 2026. The pilot joined Lady Lori on April 19, 2014, and has been with them ever since, largely flying the particular aircraft," it states.

Technical assessments by the investigation team established that the helicopter, manufactured in 2003, held a valid Commercial Air Transport Certificate of Airworthiness valid until July 2027.

The helicopter was maintained by Lady Lori Engineering Limited at Wilson Airport, where vital inspections on the airframe and engine checks had been completed as required.

Maintenance documentation confirmed that the helicopter had no known mechanical defects prior to or during the flight.

In a press release accompanying the preliminary findings, Cabinet Secretary for Transport Davis Chirchir assured the public that the government is keen on ensuring aviation safety in the country.

"We are committed to ensuring a transparent, thorough and independent investigation, and we will implement all necessary measures to uphold the highest standards of air safety in Kenya," CS Chirchir said.

The Chief Investigator of Aircraft Accident, Fred Kabunge, maintained that a technical inquiry is ongoing to establish the final root causes and safety recommendations.

Among the international technical experts involved in the probe are accredited representatives from the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) of France, US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and Ecuador's Junta Investigadora de Accidentes, as per the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirements.

Also involved are Airbus Helicopters and Safran Helicopter Engines.

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