daniel chigunwe
Columbus Mabika
Herald Reporter
AN Air Force of Zimbabwe pilot died yesterday when a Karakorum-8 (K-8) jet trainer aircraft that he was flying crashed in the Guinea Fowl area in Gweru.
Air Lieutenant Nesbert Tambudza was on a solo consolidation general handling navigation training when the incident occurred about 5 km from Guinea Fowl.
In a statement, the Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Philip Valerio Sibanda, said the ZDF had received the news of the death of Air Lieutenant Tambudza with heavy hearts and all officers and members were in mourning over the sad loss of a talented pilot.
“The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) is saddened to announce the death of a young pilot, Air Lieutenant Nesbert Tambudza, who died after the Karakorum-8 (K-8) jet trainer aircraft that he was flying crashed in the Guinea Fowl area in Gweru. The unfortunate accident happened when the pilot was on a solo consolidation general handling navigation training.
“On behalf of officers, men and women of the ZDF, I wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, friends and colleagues of our departed officer, Air Lieutenant Tambudza.’’
Air Lt Tambudza was a young pilot who had demonstrated immense potential and had been selected to undergo a jet flying conversion training course at Number 2 Squadron, Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base in Gweru.
At the time of his death, he was in the final phases of training on the K-8 jet.
The accident occurred about 5km east of Guinea Fowl and on impact with the ground the aircraft was extensively damaged and there were no civilian casualties or damage to property on the ground.
In the meantime, the Air Force of Zimbabwe has constituted a Board of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the accident.
Online Reporter