admin
before landing in the Gwayi Forestry area near Insuza in Matabeleland North.
The officer commanding police in Lupane district, Chief Superintendent Johannes Govo, confirmed the incident yesterday.
He said the pilot, Mr Bradley Hook (22), of Pomona in Harare and two passengers, Mr Andrew Backer, the co-director of Koala Park Investment of Chitungwiza and Mr Graham Keith of Bulawayo survived the crash.
“The incident happened on Wednesday at about 15.47pm. The pilot, Mr Bradley Hook left Hwange Airport flying a C182 Cessna aircraft registration number Z-IN, which is blue and white in colour, for Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport with two passengers on board,” said Chief Supt Govo.
“The crew were in Hwange on a business mission to seek new markets for their frozen chicken and beef products.”
Supt Govo said the aircraft developed a technical fault, which forced it to fall down.
“When the pilot reached Gwayi Forestry area between Dlawa and Simungu area in Insuza, at grid reference PJ 615847, the aircraft developed some fuel starvation to the engine, which forced it to go down, landing on its nose. The pilot just managed to crash-land along the path, which was a game trail road. No one was injured although the plane was damaged. The aircraft wings were caught up in the trees and its tail was broken,” said Chief Supt Govo.
He said the pilot and the passengers were lucky to get help from game rangers, who were on patrol in the area.
“The incident was reported at the JM Nkomo International Airport and the police attended the scene. The police have been guarding the aircraft as the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe has not responded to date and our officers are still at the scene. The place has dangerous wild animals,” said Chief Supt Govo.
He, however, said the owner of the aircraft, (name withheld) has indicated that he was on his way yesterday afternoon to retrieve the aircraft.
Online Reporter