A helicopter carrying six people, including businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lucy Muteke, crashed at Kudenga Farm in Marondera, Zimbabwe, on Wednesday. Preliminary findings indicate that fuel spilled and a fire broke out after the helicopter struck the ground. The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) reported that the fire burned grass around the crash site. The cause of the crash remains undetermined.
The CAAZ director-general, George Mashababe, stated that investigators are continuing to examine the wreckage and other evidence from the scene to determine the cause of the crash. The investigation is still at a preliminary stage, and authorities have cautioned that the precise flight path, condition of the helicopter, and circumstances leading to the crash have not yet been publicly disclosed.
The family of Wicknell Chivayo confirmed that he and his wife were aboard the helicopter. However, the identities of the other four victims, including the pilots, have not been formally released. Family spokesman Herbert Chivayo said forensic experts are still working to formally identify the bodies of those killed, a process made difficult by the severity of the impact and subsequent fire.
According to reports, the helicopter was traveling from Gandami in Chikomba, where the couple was building a rural home. The helicopter reportedly went down at Kudenga Farm about 40 minutes after taking off. Footage from the scene showed wreckage scattered around the crash site as police, aviation investigators, emergency services, and forensic teams continued their work.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona visited the scene and expressed shock following Chivayo's death. The government officials confirmed that there were no survivors of the crash. The bodies of the victims remained at the crash site overnight while investigators secured the area and began the identification process.
The incident has sparked an outpouring of tributes, with Kenyan President William Ruto mourning Chivayo as a "dear friend." The Zimbabwean government has also sent condolences to the family of the victims. As the investigation continues, authorities have urged caution and patience, assuring the public that they will provide updates as more information becomes available.
The CAAZ and other relevant authorities will continue to investigate the cause of the crash. The Zimbabwean aviation industry will likely face scrutiny as the investigation unfolds. The nation mourns the loss of Wicknell Chivayo, his wife, and the other victims of the tragic helicopter crash.
Key points
- The cause of the helicopter crash remains undetermined.
- Fuel spilled and a fire broke out after the helicopter struck the ground.
- The incident killed six people, including businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lucy Muteke.
