adminRichard Muponde Sunday News Correspondent
ABOUT 50 passengers on Tuesday morning had a scare after an Air Zimbabwe plane made a mid-air U-turn while on its way to Bulawayo enroute to Victoria Falls, after it developed a mechanical fault. The MA60 left a number of tourists in the resort town and other passengers in Bulawayo stranded. Reports say some scared passengers shouted Prophet Walter Magaya’s name, asking for divine intervention when the announcement was made from the cockpit about the mishap and the imminent about turn to the capital.
Prophet Magaya is the founder of PHD Ministries and has hogged the limelight for reportedly performing miracles.
The pilots were forced to turn back after about 20 minutes when one of the plane’s front left wheel doors reportedly failed to close.
The plane was scheduled to drop and pick up passengers in Bulawayo enroute to the resort town of Victoria Falls.
In Victoria Falls, reports said tourists, who intended to travel to Harare to get their connecting flights around the world, were also stranded and tourism players had a torrid time as they were forced to cater for them.
However, according to passengers, who were on the plane, the MA60 landed safely in Harare where it was taken to the hangar for repairs. Air Zimbabwe was forced to book passengers into Rainbow Towers Hotel for Wednesday morning’s flight.
They were later flown by a Boeing 737 which was brought in as a replacement on Wednesday morning with indications that the MA60 was still in the hangar being attended to.
Air Zimbabwe public relations officer Ms Shingie Taruvinga Dhliwayo could not be reached for comment as her mobile phones went unanswered. Her boss, the airline’s acting chief executive officer, Mr Edmund Makona’s phone went unanswered as well.
Civil Aviation public relations manager Ms Anna- Julia Hungwe referred questions to Air Zimbabwe, saying she was out of town during the period.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Dr Obert Mpofu, yesterday said he could not be drawn to comment on operational issues.
“These are operational issues. I think the best thing for you to do is to call the Air Zimbabwe people,” said Dr Mpofu.
However, passengers, who were aboard the plane, confirmed that indeed the plane had a mechanical fault and had to make a U-turn mid-way to Bulawayo.
“It was scary. It’s my first time to have such an experience. At one time I thought our world had come to an end. However, we heaved a sigh of relief when the plane safely landed in Harare,” said a passenger on condition of anonymity.
“Some passengers could be heard shouting Prophet Magaya’s name seeking divide intervention. I think they go to his church. We thank God nothing bad happened.”
Two other passengers said the experience was heart rending.
“We thought the plane was going to crash. It wasn’t a good experience at all. I think AirZim should make sure these planes are in good shape before take-off to avert a major disaster occurring that will lead to loss of lives,” one woman said.
Hwange Rural District Council deputy chairperson Mr Matthew Muleya, who was also a passenger on the plane on his way to the resort town, confirmed the incident to Sunday News.
“It’s true the plane made a U-turn mid-way to Bulawayo. We later gathered that one of its wheels refused to retract, forcing the pilots to abort the journey. However, we landed safely in Harare and we were booked at a hotel until the next morning when we were given another plane and arrived in Victoria Falls shortly after 10am on Wednesday,” Mr Muleya said.
An MA60 plane from Harare to Bulawayo in November 2010 crashed into wild pigs during take-off injuring some passengers.
The Chinese-made aircraft incurred significant damages.
Air Zimbabwe bought two Arc 60 (MA60) passenger planes in 2004 and reportedly got a third one for free from Chinese aircraft manufacturer, CATIC.
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derick.khumalo