Air Force Helicopter Crash Lands In Chitungwiza After Developing Fault Mid Air

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An Air Force of Zimbabwe helicopter crash-landed in Chitungwiza on Thursday after developing a technical fault mid-air.

The crew of the Mi-35 helicopter gunship managed to make an emergency landing. As a result of their pilots’ skills and deftness, no lives were lost in the aircraft and on the ground.

According to the Air Force, the two pilots and the five aircraft technicians on board did not sustain any injuries in the crash landing.

The Commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe, Air Marshal Elson Moyo told the Herald,

“It took tremendous skill and presence of mind for the pilots to put the lives of the people on the ground first while experiencing an emergency.”
“I wish to commend the aircrew for averting a major accident and saving lives and damage to property.”

The Air Force said the helicopter gunship was forced to make the crash landing after developing a technical fault. The helicopter was flying from Kutanga Range in Kwekwe to Manyame Air Force Base.

“Group Captain Maxwell Sakupwanya as the Captain and Flight Lieutenant Atiowin Tsongora, as the co-pilot/navigator, however, had the presence of mind to steer the helicopter away from built-up areas and other obstacles before making a forced landing about five kilometres to the south of Chitungwiza (Unit L cemeteries).”

Thursday’s helicopter crash landing comes barely three months after another AFZ helicopter crashed in Arcturus while on a general handling training sortie

The Air Force Augusta Bell 412 helicopter crashed and killed four people. Three people who were on board the helicopter died on the spot. The three deceased were the helicopter’s pilots Wing Commander Thomas Tinashe Manyowa and Flight Lieutenant Anita Mapiye together with aircraft technician Flight Sergeant Tinodiwanashe Chikamhi.

The helicopter crash also claimed the life of 18-month-old Jade Fenyere who was sleeping with her twin sister Jada when the helicopter crashed into their house. Jada escaped with burns after their mother braved the fire to rescue her children. The mother also suffered burns in the fire.

–iHarare