Safari Helicopter Crash in Kenya Kills Seven, Including Five Americans and Ecuador's Intelligence Director

A Eurocopter EC130 charter helicopter crashed in Samburu County, Kenya on August 19, 2026, killing all seven on board. The victims included five US citizens, Michele Sensi-Contugi — director of Ecuador's national intelligence center — and Telemundo station president José Suárez. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has launched an investigation. This is Kenya's third fatal aviation incident with foreign casualties in ten months.