On December 24, 2025, around 5:30 in the evening local time, a rescue helicopter—an Airbus model run by KiliMedAir—crashed high up on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. People who saw it said the chopper took off from the designated landing and take off area at Barafu Camp and then dropped out of the sky just a few minutes later. Sadly, all five people on board died in the accident. It is not yet clear what caused the accident but investigations are still on going to determine the source of the crash
Who were on board the ill-fated helicopter?
They were two climbers from the Czech Republic, Mr David Plos and Ms. Anna Plosova (both 30 years old), a Tanzanian tour guide named Innocent Mbaga (or sometimes listed as Jimmy Mbaga), a Tanzanian doctor called Jimmy Daniel, and the pilot, Constantine Mazonde, who was from Zimbabwe. The helicopter was on a medical evacuation mission, heading to pick up sick climbers when it went down between Barafu Camp and the area near Kibo Peak.
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The crash site was way up there, around 4,700 meters (about 15,400 feet) above sea level, in a tough spot on the southeast side of the mountain. Guides and porters on the mountain who were nearby hurried over to help with rescue efforts, but when they got there, no one had survived. Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa, standing almost 6,000 meters high, and every year about 50,000 people try to climb it. Things like this don’t happen often—the last bad helicopter crash on the mountain was back in 2008.
The Kilimanjaro Regional Police Force has confirmed the deaths of five people who died in a helicopter crash that followed tourists to Mount Kilimanjaro.https://t.co/3aZwOJKu9B
The Tanzania National Parks Agency (TANAPA) said the helicopter crashed into a glacier on Mount… pic.twitter.com/CnCAEdxH2Y
— Tranquil Kilimanjaro Treks (@TripKilimanjaro) December 25, 2025
The helicopter crash happened in the Alpine Desert Zone (also called the Highland Desert or Afro-Alpine Desert Zone) on Mount Kilimanjaro.This area sits at altitudes between about 4,000 and 5,000 meters (13,000 to 16,400 feet). It’s a dry, barren spot with very little plant life—just rocks, dust, and harsh weather. Barafu Camp, where the helicopter took off from and near where it crashed, is right around 4,670–4,700 meters high, which puts it squarely in this zone.
KiliMedAir is a local company that does emergency evacuations on Kilimanjaro. In busy seasons, their helicopter could handle up to five rescues a day, and they’ve saved a lot of hikers and porters over the years. They even did free rescues for local porters when needed.
The Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) and other officials have sent teams to look into what caused the crash. They’re working with aviation experts, and because of the rough terrain and high altitude, it’s going to be a tricky job. They’ll follow proper safety rules and share an official report once they’re done.
Everyone involved, including TANAPA and companies like Tranquil Kilimanjaro, has sent their heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives. This is a real heartbreak for Tanzania and the climbing community around the world.
More details will come out as the investigation goes on.
