A security aide to Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has described the final moments before the helicopter carrying Chivayo crashed on September 30, 2026. The aide, who was traveling in a separate helicopter, said both aircraft were returning from the same area when the weather deteriorated, prompting the pilots to consider an alternative route. The aide's account provides new details about the circumstances preceding the crash.
According to the aide, the pilot of the helicopter carrying Chivayo suggested changing their route after encountering challenging conditions. The pilot reported being trapped in bad weather and requested to reroute via Bromley. The aide said radio communication between the two aircraft soon became increasingly worrying, with Chivayo's pilot repeatedly reporting difficulties navigating the weather.
The aide recounted that the pilot's transmissions suggested that the situation was becoming increasingly difficult. The pilot kept saying, "I'm in bad weather, I haven't exited the cloud." The aide's account raises concerns about the circumstances leading up to the crash. The helicopter ultimately crashed, killing all on board.
The final radio exchange between the two helicopters has been described as alarming. The pilot of the aide's helicopter reported being about 10 minutes from their destination. However, the pilot of Chivayo's helicopter appeared confused, asking, "Which destination?" The aide's pilot responded that Marondera was their destination, but no reply came.
The loss of communication was followed by the crash, which killed the occupants of the helicopter. Investigators are yet to establish the official cause of the accident. The aide also sought to correct the number of fatalities reported in the immediate aftermath of the crash, stating that five people were killed, not six.
Chivayo's final journey had begun at a site where construction of their rural home was underway. The group had started their return journey before the helicopter crashed about 40 minutes later. Chivayo's death has attracted widespread attention due to his prominent public profile and business interests.
The aide's account has provided additional details about the circumstances preceding the crash, but investigators have yet to confirm the official cause of the accident. The incident has raised concerns about aviation safety, and authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
Key points
- Five people were killed in the helicopter crash, not six as initially reported.
- The pilot of Chivayo's helicopter reported being trapped in bad weather before the crash.
- The official cause of the accident has not been established, with investigators yet to complete their probe.
