‘Pilot’s blackout led to fatal crash’
THE body of Captain Fungai Majakwara (50), the Zimbabwean pilot who tragically died in a plane crash in Malawi on Tuesday, is expected in the country today, his father, Captain Jonathan Majakwara, has confirmed.
Tragedy struck when Capt Majakwara suddenly collapsed at the controls moments after take-off, leaving the small plane to fly on autopilot for several miles before plummeting into Lake Malawi, fresh details have emerged.
The incident killed the pilot and one passenger, while another passenger sustained injuries and was hospitalised.
Mourners are gathered at Plot 2, Xenia, Mazowe River Road, Christon Bank.
The pilot’s father, Capt Majakwara, told The Herald that the post-mortem showed his son was in good health when tragedy struck.
“Yes, he passed away,” he said. “According to the post-mortem report, he was in good health. However, the information we are receiving from the Malawian authorities, after speaking to the survivor, suggests that there was a 15-minute blackout mid-air. The Malawian authorities are still investigating the cause of the blackout.”
Capt Majakwara will be buried on Sunday in Harare.
“Tomorrow, we are expecting the body to arrive at 1.15pm at Robert Mugabe International Airport, and the burial is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at Glen Forest.”
Capt Majakwara, a former Southern Africa Development Community Civil Aviation Authorities representative at the International Civil Organisation, said he was “truly” devastated by his son’s death.
“My son was a well-cultured and disciplined individual who cared deeply about us, his parents,” he said.
“I am now beginning to realise the extent of his connections, as people from all over the world - including Europe, Rwanda, Malawi, Botswana and other parts of the world are sending their condolence messages.”
Capt Majakwara said he was glad that his son had decided to follow in his footsteps.
The plane was a Cessna C210 aircraft, with registration number 7QPFU, which can typically carry six people and belonged to a Malawian company, Nyasa Express.
In this instance, the plane was carrying three people, the pilot and two passengers, when it went down in the Nkhotakota District, approximately 200km northeast of the capital, Lilongwe.
Capt Majakwara was the managing director at Nyasa Express, and also an experienced flight captain with a demonstrated history of working in the aviation industry, skilled in airline, corporate and charter flying.
While two people died, a Dutch female passenger, Ms Charlotte Lemstra (24), was rescued by a group of fishermen and is in hospital where she is being treated for minor injuries.
Malawian authorities said investigations into the cause of the crash were already underway, with prior findings revealing that the pilot lost consciousness mid-air during the flight from Nkhotakota to Liwonde township.
Zimbabwean Ambassador to Malawi, Dr Nancy Saungweme, yesterday sent a condolence message to the family of the pilot.
She described him as an astute and dedicated businessman whose vision was sadly cut short.
“I would like to send my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and Zimbabwe at large, for the untimely death of Capt Majakwara. I am deeply saddened by the untimely death of Capt Majakwara, whom I have interacted with during several business meetings we held here in Malawi. During our engagements, he expressed his willingness and commitment to work with us at the Embassy and assist us where the need arises.
“Capt Majakwara shared with me his vision and the direction he wanted to take the aircraft business in the region. He was a man with a vision, but sadly, it was cut short. We, as the Embassy, had also pledged to work and assist him towards achieving his business endeavours.”
Dr Saungweme also sent a condolence message to the family of the other passenger who died in the crash.
According to Nyasa Express, the private charter flight, departed from Tongole Airfield in Nkhotakota at 1406hrs, en-route to Liwonde Game Reserve and failed to land as scheduled.