By Staff writer
AN AIR FORCE of Zimbabwe (AFZ) aircraft crashed on the outskirts of Gweru resulting in the death of a trainee pilot.
According to Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander, General Philip Valerio Sibanda, the accident occured when the trainee pilot, Air Lieutenant Nesbert Tambudza was on a solo training exercise.
Gen Sibanda said the trainee pilot was undergoing a solo consolidation general handling navigation training.
He was flying a Karakorum (K-8) jet trainer aircraft.
The plane is said to have crashed about five kilometers east of the Guinea Fowl area in Gweru.
“The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) is saddened to announce the death of a young pilot, Air Lieutenant Nesbert Tambudza, who died after the K-8 jet trainer aircraft that he was flying crashed in the Guinea Fowl area in Gweru,” Gen Sibanda said in a statement.
“The unfortunate accident happened when the pilot was on a solo consolidation general handling navigation training.”
Gen Sibanda noted that there were no civilian casualties or any damage to property.
He added that the AFZ was carrying out further investigations to ascertain the cause of the crash.
“The accident occured about 5 km east of Guinea Fowl and on impact with the ground the aircraft was extensively damaged.
“There was no civilian casualties or damage to property on the ground,” he added.
