Probe team dispatched to investigate helicopter accident on Mount Kilimanjaro as victims named
Investigations have started.
Though some heavy fog reportedly covering most parts of Mount Kilimanjaro is being suspected to have been the main cause of the Christmas Eve’s helicopter crash, a probe team has been sent to investigate the accident.
This is the crash which claimed five lives along the slopes of Africa’s highest peak.
Two young tourists from the Czech Republic, identified as Mr David Plos and Ms Ana Plosova who were being airlifted from the claustrophobic weather on Mount Kilimanjaro, were killed in the tragic accident.
It is being suspected that the chopper which was airlifting them to the ground got engulfed in the heavy fog which inhibited vision of the Zimbabwean captain who was piloting the craft.
Also perished in the crash was the medical doctor in tourists’ attendance, Mr Jimmy Daniel and their mountain guide, Mr Innocent Mbaga, both being Tanzanian nationals.
The helicopter pilot, Mr Constantine Mazonde, who was a Zambian citizen was also killed on spot.
Tanzania has meanwhile promised to issue an official report from the team which has been dispatched to investigates the helicopter accident within the Kilimanjaro National Park.
The fated helicopter was operating under Kilimedair Aviation, a company which provides airlifting services, chartered services, scenic flights and medical evacuations on the local mountains, in the Northern Circuit of Tanzania, including Kilimanjaro and Meru.
In the evening of December 24, 2025, at approximately 18:00 East African time, an Airbus AS350 B3 Helicopter, operated by KilimedAir (Savannah Aviation Limited) was involved in the fatal crash on Mount Kilimanjaro.
According to preliminary information, the helicopter went down in the area known as Barafu Valley, located on the south-eastern part of Africa’s highest peak, crashing at an altitude of approximately 4,700 meters (15,420 feet) above sea level.
Several mountain guides and porters who happened to be on the mountain at the time of the aircraft accident rushed to the scene of the crash in their attempt to initiate an emergency rescue mission.
However, by the time the rescue team reached the smoldering remains of the chopper, all the passengers had already died.