Michele Sensi-Contugi and Wife Among Seven Killed in Kenya Helicopter Crash
An international safari helicopter crash in northern Kenya killed seven people on Aug. 19, 2026, including five American citizens, according to official statements from government and aviation authorities. The aircraft went down at 9:13 a.m. while flying from the Loisaba Conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro area in Samburu County, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said.
The victims include Ecuador’s intelligence chief, Michele Sensi-Contugi, and his wife, Stephany Hollihan, alongside prominent media executive José Alberto Suárez, who served as president and general manager for Telemundo stations in Florida. Local police commander David Nkoroi confirmed that all seven people on board died in the crash, which occurred in a rugged area near Mount Ololokwe.
Official Confirmation and Rescue Operations
According to the U.S. State Department, the American Embassy in Nairobi maintained contact with local authorities to provide consular assistance following the tragedy. The aircraft involved was a Eurocopter EC130 B4 operated by local company Lady Lori Helicopters on a charter flight carrying guests booked with travel company &Beyond, data from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and operators shows.
Tropic Air Kenya dispatched two rescue helicopters to the remote site, while the Kenya Red Cross deployed emergency response teams. Rescue efforts faced significant challenges due to difficult terrain access and an active fire burning at the wreckage site, according to the Kenya Red Cross. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that an official investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident.
Global Figures and Media Executive Among Victims
Ecuadorian transport minister Roberto Luque confirmed the deaths of Michele Sensi-Contugi and Stephany Hollihan in a statement posted to social media, writing that the couple left too soon and offering condolences to their children and parents.
Separately, NBCUniversal issued an internal memo obtained by CBS News identifying José Alberto Suárez among the dead. Suárez led Telemundo 31, Telemundo 49, and Telemundo Fort Myers–Naples as president and general manager. The company’s memo described him as a deeply respected leader, mentor, and beloved colleague who cared profoundly about the communities his stations served.
The crash highlights ongoing safety concerns surrounding tourism aviation in East Africa. Kenya’s vibrant tourism sector frequently utilizes domestic helicopter carriers to transport visitors to remote reserves and conservancies, though previous incidents have prompted renewed scrutiny of regional air transport. In February, a legislator was among six people killed in a helicopter crash in western Kenya, and a 2019 crash in northern Kenya claimed the lives of four Americans and a local pilot.