KCAA Confirms Aircraft Accident at Lokowe Mountain in Samburu

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has officially confirmed a tragic aircraft accident at Lokowe Mountain in Samburu County. The Eurocopter EC130 B4, bearing registration 5Y-GYM, was in the air when the incident occurred around 9:13 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, during a flight from Loisaba to Ewaso Nyiro. KCAA is working closely with various government bodies and stakeholders to manage the aftermath of this unfortunate event.

The Air Accident Investigation Department under the Ministry of Roads and Transport is leading the investigation into the precise circumstances that led to the crash. However, KCAA has not yet disclosed the exact number of individuals on board, any immediate casualties, or the probable cause of the accident. The aircraft's registration history indicates that it has a prior association with a Eurocopter EC130, having been involved in an emergency landing in Kinangop in May 2015 due to weather-related complications.

In light of the ongoing investigation, KCAA has reminded the public to exercise caution and has extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of those affected by this latest tragedy. This incident follows another helicopter crash in Nandi County in February 2026, which resulted in the loss of six lives, reinforcing ongoing concerns about aviation safety across the country.