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Zimbabwe plane crash, new details emerge
3 hrs ago |
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New details have emerged following a tragic plane crash that claimed the life of a pilot and left his wife seriously injured in a mountainous area between Zaka and Bikita districts on Sunday morning, with witnesses revealing that the woman attempted to escape using a parachute moments before impact.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the incident, which occurred at around 11AM in Nyoka Village, approximately 85 kilometres southeast of Masvingo.
According to police, the aircraft had departed from Komani Aerodrome in Mt Hampden, Harare, en route to Chipinda Pools when it reportedly developed a mechanical fault.
"The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms an aircraft crash which occurred on 15th March 2026 at around 1100 hours at Nyoka Village, Zaka, Masvingo Province. One person was killed while another person was injured when an aircraft carrying two occupants crashed before being engulfed by fire," reads part of the police statement.
Authorities said the aircraft began emitting an unusual sound mid-flight before losing stability.
Investigators from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe have since been deployed to determine the exact cause of the दुर्घटना.
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying sequence of events, saying the aircraft suddenly swerved after what appeared to be a mid-air burst, before descending rapidly toward the ground.
Sources identified the occupants as a husband and wife. Moments before the crash, the woman reportedly attempted to escape using a parachute. However, the parachute is said to have snagged on the aircraft's wing before tearing apart, causing her to fall separately from the plane.
She landed a few metres from the crash site, sustaining severe injuries, including broken legs.
Villagers who rushed to the scene said they found the wreckage engulfed in flames, with the pilot trapped inside.
"We could see him inside, but we could not open the doors," said one witness.
The aircraft later reignited, creating an opening that allowed rescuers to access the wreckage. Using a log, villagers managed to pull the pilot's body from the burning aircraft, but he had already succumbed to his injuries.
Two villagers, Jairos Nyoka and Jeffrey Nyoka, were among those who assisted in retrieving the body.
The injured woman was found in distress, repeatedly asking about her husband's condition. She was rushed to hospital, although her current status remains unknown.
Local Ward 2 Councillor, Sarah Mamvura, who visited the scene, corroborated accounts from first responders.
While some villagers believe the couple may be foreign nationals, possibly Australians, authorities said their identities had not yet been officially confirmed.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the incident, which occurred at around 11AM in Nyoka Village, approximately 85 kilometres southeast of Masvingo.
According to police, the aircraft had departed from Komani Aerodrome in Mt Hampden, Harare, en route to Chipinda Pools when it reportedly developed a mechanical fault.
"The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms an aircraft crash which occurred on 15th March 2026 at around 1100 hours at Nyoka Village, Zaka, Masvingo Province. One person was killed while another person was injured when an aircraft carrying two occupants crashed before being engulfed by fire," reads part of the police statement.
Authorities said the aircraft began emitting an unusual sound mid-flight before losing stability.
Investigators from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe have since been deployed to determine the exact cause of the दुर्घटना.
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying sequence of events, saying the aircraft suddenly swerved after what appeared to be a mid-air burst, before descending rapidly toward the ground.
Sources identified the occupants as a husband and wife. Moments before the crash, the woman reportedly attempted to escape using a parachute. However, the parachute is said to have snagged on the aircraft's wing before tearing apart, causing her to fall separately from the plane.
She landed a few metres from the crash site, sustaining severe injuries, including broken legs.
Villagers who rushed to the scene said they found the wreckage engulfed in flames, with the pilot trapped inside.
"We could see him inside, but we could not open the doors," said one witness.
The aircraft later reignited, creating an opening that allowed rescuers to access the wreckage. Using a log, villagers managed to pull the pilot's body from the burning aircraft, but he had already succumbed to his injuries.
Two villagers, Jairos Nyoka and Jeffrey Nyoka, were among those who assisted in retrieving the body.
The injured woman was found in distress, repeatedly asking about her husband's condition. She was rushed to hospital, although her current status remains unknown.
Local Ward 2 Councillor, Sarah Mamvura, who visited the scene, corroborated accounts from first responders.
While some villagers believe the couple may be foreign nationals, possibly Australians, authorities said their identities had not yet been officially confirmed.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
Source - Tellzim
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