Kenya helicopter crash investigation includes US and France

An international investigation has been launched following a helicopter crash near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, Kenya, which killed seven people on August 19, 2026. The victims included high-profile individuals such as Michele Sensi-Contugi, director of Ecuador’s National Intelligence Center, and José Suárez, an executive with Telemundo. Other casualties included Miami restaurateur Roger Duarte and four other passengers, including U.S. citizens.

Authorities from the United States and France have joined Kenyan officials to assist in the probe. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is participating due to the presence of American victims, while France’s Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses (BEA) is involved because the aircraft and engine were designed and manufactured in France.

The investigation follows protocols established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, with a final report anticipated in one year.