Germany's Federal Air Accidents Investigation Office has released the latest report on the tragic plane crash that killed Malawi's vice-president Saulos Chilima and eight other people, directly implicating the Malawi Defense Force.

According to a Radio MozambiqueThe report cites critical failures in aircraft maintenance and pilot fitness, raising serious questions about accountability and oversight in military aviation operations.

According to the investigation by Germany's Federal Aviation Accident Investigation Office, the aircraft carrying the vice-president was unfit to fly because it had documented maintenance problems that had not been resolved.

The German authority noted that the aircraft's airworthiness certification was out of date and that recurring mechanical failures had been repeatedly flagged in maintenance records, without sufficient corrective measures.

According to the conclusions of the German investigators, the Meteorological Services Department did not provide any meteorological information about the planned route the plane was supposed to take, contrary to the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Some of the factors that contributed to the accident include the decision to continue the flight to the destination at low altitude and in adverse weather conditions, lack of situational awareness and inadequate pre-flight preparation.

The Emergency Locator Transmitter had not been in operation for more than 20 years, a fact that was known to the Malawi Defense Forces.

The co-pilot is said not to have made any notes on the Emergency Field Locator Transmitter in the flight plan.

Germany's Federal Aviation Accident Investigation Office is calling on the director general of the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure that air navigation service providers or airport operators record radar and radio traffic data at least at the country's main airports and keep it stored for a period of at least 30 days.

The report also recommends that the Commander of the Malawi Air Force ensure that the aeromedical data of each crew member is up to date and that copies of the most recent certificates are stored in their respective military units at all times.

It also recommends that the Commander of the Malawi Air Force ensure that a high level of aviation safety is guaranteed in the operations of each aircraft.

It is known that before the release of this final report, Malawi's president, Lazarus Chakwera, had already dismissed the then minister of national defense, Harry Nkandawire, and of the interior, Ken Zikhale Ngoma, for negligence, for having allowed the vice-president to travel in those conditions.

 

(Photo DR)