Chikangawa plane crash report: Kabambe advices Chakwera to address “grave safety concerns”

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Former Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Governor Dr. Dalitso Kabambe has advised President Lazarus Chakwera’s administration to prioritize a thorough investigation into grave safety concerns and address the shortcomings highlighted in the interim report regarding the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of the late former Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others.

Dr Kabambe observes that the report’s findings raise serious questions about the safety protocols and quality controls implemented by public servants.

“This is not merely an isolated incident and it is a stark reminder of the systemic issues that plague our civil service,” Kabambe said.

He indicated that there is need to confront these challenges head-on, for the safety of citizens and the integrity of our Institutions depend on it.

“It is time to shine a spotlight on the processes that govern our civil service and demand accountability from those in positions of power,” he added.

According to Kabambe, reform and public inquiry is necessary, and it is essential that we create a culture of transparency, responsibility, and excellence within our public service.

“The lives lost in this tragedy must not be in vain, they must serve as a catalyst for meaningful change,” Kabambe explained.

He further indicated that there is need to unite in our commitment to ensuring that our civil service operates with the utmost dedication to public safety and welfare.

“Together, we can forge a future where such preventable tragedies are behind us, where every citizen can trust that their government prioritizes their safety above all else,” he indicated.

The German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation on August 30, 2024 released a report on the aircraft accident at Chikangawa Forest that killed former vice president, late Chilima and eight others.

The report, published by Germany Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation, vividly shows that the plane crash, which killed former Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others, was “not survivable.”

The 19-page report, which is now viral on social media,shows that the aircraft was manufactured in 1987 and had many of its key equipment and machines archaic and not maintained to the expected standards for it to be airborne.

The interim report mentions poor weather, including low visibility, clouds, and fog near the destination airport in Mzuzu,adding that the flight crew had difficulty navigating through these conditions, which could have led to spatial disorientation or an inability to maintain a safe flight path.

It also says there was a delay in locating Veep’s plane due to Faulty Equipment used for searching.

Details provided in the interim report show that the aircraft had been flying without Cockpick Voice Recorder or Flight Data Recorder, which it says were not required by relevant regulatory regulations.

The battery of its Emergency Transmission Locator is also said to have long expired in 2004 and according Malawi Defence Force, there were no spare parts or budget for replacement.

The report clearly shows that the plane did not reach Mzuzu Airport.

Briefly, the interim report does not explicitly state a definitive cause for the crash of the Dornier 228-202(K) aircraft. However, several factors likely contributed to the accident:

1. Marginal Weather Conditions: The report mentions poor weather, including low visibility, clouds, and fog near the destination airport in Mzuzu. The flight crew had difficulty navigating through these conditions, which could have led to spatial disorientation or an inability to maintain a safe flight path.
2. Lack of Functional Emergency Equipment: The aircraft’s Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) was non-functional because its battery had expired in 2004, hindering the ability to locate the crash site quickly. The lack of a Cockpit Voice Recorder or Flight Data Recorder also made it difficult to understand the crew’s actions and decisions leading up to the crash.
3. Navigation Issues: The aircraft made several unexplained turns and altitude changes before the crash, suggesting possible confusion or difficulty in navigation. The report also notes outdated information on radio navigation aids, which could have affected the crew’s ability to navigate safely.
4. Inadequate Radar Coverage: There was no radar contact with the aircraft at low altitudes, which may have prevented air traffic controllers from providing timely assistance or warnings.

The investigation is ongoing, and the final report would likely provide a more detailed analysis of the contributing factors.