Chikangawa, Malawi — Nearly two years after a military plane crash that claimed the lives of Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others, a parliamentary investigation is garnering renewed public interest. The incident, which occurred on June 10, 2024, raised significant safety concerns about the aircraft and the circumstances that led to its tragic fate.
A parliamentary committee tasked with examining the Chikangawa crash has uncovered alarming facts, including that the aircraft’s emergency locator beacon had been nonfunctional for years. Colonel Alex Mwachande, commander of the Zomba Air Base, testified that a flight crew just a day prior had reported severe weather conditions, but that information failed to reach the vice president’s office. Mwachande explained that the plane, due to operational demands from the defense force, was assigned to Chilima despite known weather issues.
The ill-fated Dornier 228-202K was on a critical mission to Nkhata Bay for the funeral of former justice minister Ralph Kasambara after Chilima had recently attended the Korea-Africa summit. After taking off from Lilongwe, attempts to land in Mzuzu were thwarted by poor visibility, leading air traffic controllers to direct the aircraft back to its departure point, all while losing communication. The plane was later found wrecked in the remote Chikangawa Forest.
The crash resulted in widespread mourning throughout Malawi, with the former president, Lazarus Chakwera, emphasizing the magnitude of the tragedy as search teams discovered the wreckage. Chilima, known for his dedication to public service and previously a prominent political figure, left behind his wife and two children.
Multiple investigations into the crash have yielded mixed conclusions. In 2025, Germany’s Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation attributed the incident primarily to visibility issues, while another commission formed by Chakwera cited human and environmental factors without identifying any foul play. However, these findings did little to quell public skepticism, prompting President Peter Mutharika to initiate a further inquiry.
In March 2026, the parliamentary panel was established, including representatives from various political parties, although it faced challenges in securing consensus during its formation. Against this backdrop, investigators set a timeline for comprehensive reviews, which have since extended beyond initial deadlines due to the complexity of the case. The committee’s chair, Walter Nyamilandu Manda, assured the public of a thorough and impartial investigation, stating it would not be rushed.
With investigative efforts shifting gears as of August 2026, key tasks include examining the health, safety, environmental aspects of the crash, and conducting autopsies on the victims, whose remains have yet to undergo post-mortem examinations since their recoveries. The desire for clarity has been echoed across the nation, as families of victims await answers.
Former Defense Minister Harry Mkandawire revealed more details during testimonies regarding the chain of events leading to the crash, including the decision-making process around using the aircraft for the funeral. There remains public concern about procedural lapses, as his account suggested a lack of communication about the vice president’s flight being redirected.
As the investigation heads into its next phase, speakers and experts will address pivotal elements from the fateful day, including weather assessments and procedural protocols followed by airport personnel. The resolution of this tragedy is highly anticipated by a grieving nation desperate for closure and accountability in the aftermath of this profound loss.