Kenya's Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID) is leading the investigation in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
According to AAID Director Fred Kabunge, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) sent an expert from the Office of Transportation Disaster Assistance due to the death of American citizens.”
The site where a helicopter ferrying tourists crashed at Mt Ololokwe in Samburu East on August 19, 2026. Seven people died.
Photo credit: David Muchui | Nation
On the other hand, France's Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) “appointed an Accredited Representative supported by a team of technical advisers since the aircraft and engine were designed and manufactured in France.
“The NTSB has a special interest in the accident under ICAO Annex 13. The expert is entitled to access relevant factual information approved for public release, updates on the progress of the investigation and a copy of the final report. The expert may also assist with matters involving affected US families and victim-related assistance,” Mr Kabunge told Nation.
He said investigators probing the accident that killed Ecuador’s intelligence chief and his wife are focusing on human aspects and the state of the aircraft.
“The investigation will cover the examination and documentation of the crash site and wreckage, recovery and preservation of evidence, assessment of aircraft systems and components, and review of operational and maintenance records,” Mr Kabunge said.
No survivors: All seven occupants in Samburu aircraft crash have died
He added, “Investigators will also analyse the aircraft’s flight path and other available data, coordinate specialist examinations and testing, and establish the causal and contributory factors behind the accident.”
The investigation, he said, is not meant to apportion blame but to prevent future air accidents.
According to Samburu County Police Commander David Nkoroi, forensic investigators also visited the crash site on Friday.
Mr Kabunge said the crash site remains highly rugged and was extensively affected by fire, making recovery of wreckage and other evidence difficult.
“Very little wreckage and other evidence could be recovered from the site,” he said, adding that all recoverable debris would be collected and kept under AAID custody.
Earlier, Mr Kabunge told KTN News that preliminary investigations show that the aircraft impacted the terrain and was destroyed by impact forces and post-impact fire.
The AAID director said the probe would look at the aircraft’s certification, airworthiness, date of manufacture and whether it was carrying the number of people it was authorised to fly.
Local tour guides and porters earlier recounted the final moments of the aircraft, as witnessed from the summit of Mt Ololokwe.
According to Mr Raphael Lekambayo, a tour guide based at Kirish village, the six tourists were filming and taking videos of the scenic views before the tragic accident happened.
“According to our colleagues who were at the summit, the tourists were recording the scenic views from the summit when the chopper lost control. At the time, the aircraft was hovering near the edge of the cliff. On noticing that all was not well, some of the passengers threw out their phones, which were still recording videos when they were recovered,” Mr Lekambayo said.
Post-mortem examinations have been completed and DNA samples taken to aid in the identification of four bodies, while three bodies were to be examined on Friday.
AAID is expected to release a preliminary report within 30 days, while a final report is expected within a year.
