By Staff writer
AN Air force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) plane crashed yesterday afternoon,killing one senior pilot,the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) has confirmed.
The plane, an F7 fighter aircraft crashed on the peripheries of Gweru,in the Wozheri area along the Gweru-Mvuma highway.
The deceased has been identified as Squadron leader, Ritswanetsi Vuyo Ncube, a senior pilot in the AFZ.
According to a statement released by the ZDF, the plane was on a routine sortie.
“A dark cloud has engulfed the Zimbabwe Defence Forces family after an Air force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) F-7, fighter aircraft crashed in the Wazheri general area,along the Gweru -Mvuma road,” reads the statement.
“As a result of the crash, the pilot, Squadron leader(retired) Ritswanetsi Vuyo Ncube lost his life…
“Squadron leader Ncube had passion for flying and dedication to serve his nation made him rejoin the Air force of Zimbabwe from retirement.
“At the time of his passing on, he was one of the experienced pilots training young fighter pilots at Josiah Tungamirai Air force base.”
The Commander ZDF, General Philip Valerio Sibanda sent his condolence message to the Ncube family.
“The Zimbabwe Defence Forces have learnt, with heavy hearts, of the passing on of a proficient and highly experienced pilot, Squadron leader Ncube after an aircraft accident.
“Right now our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased pilot,” he said.
The ZDF further said that investigations are currently underway to establish the cause of the accident.
This is not the first time this year that a pilot has died as a result of a plane crash.
In February this year, another AFZ aircraft a Karakorum (K-8) jet trainer crashed 5 km of the Guinea Fowl area on the outskirts of Gweru.
As a result of that crash, Air Lieutenant Nesbert Tambudza, who was on a solo training exercise lost his life.
In February 2023, another airplane crash involving an AFZ plane occured in the Mlezu area near Gweru killing two pilots.
The two were on a routine sortie aboard an (AFZ) SF260, trainer aircraft, when they hit a power line resulting in the accident.
The frequency of airplane crashes in the AFZ has become a concern for both those in service and the nation at large.
