On June 10, 2024, a tragic airplane crash in the Chikangawa Forest claimed the lives of three crew members and six passengers, including the Vice-President of the Republic of Malawi. The aircraft, a Dornier 228-202(K) operated by the Malawi Air Force, was en route from Lilongwe Kamuzu International Airport to Mzuzu when it crashed into a hillside amidst deteriorating weather conditions.
A preliminary report from the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU), which is leading the investigation, suggests that poor infrastructure and outdated technology may have contributed to the disaster.
The Republic of Malawi requested assistance from the BFU under ICAO Annex 13, following the accident. The investigation team, which includes experts from the aircraft manufacturer General Atomics AeroTec Systems, is working closely with Malawian officials to determine the precise cause of the crash.
According to the report by the BFU, the flight took off from Lilongwe Kamuzu International Airport at 9:16 a.m. with three crew members and six passengers, including the Vice-President. According to the flight plan filed by the co-pilot, the estimated flight time to Mzuzu was 50 minutes.
However, weather conditions began to deteriorate shortly after takeoff. At 9:52 a.m., during a left-hand turn at approximately 5,500 feet, the airplane began to climb again. By 9:55 a.m., the aircraft had reached 8,100 feet but began descending once more.
At 9:56 a.m., the aircraft executed a full left-hand turn and continued in a southwestern direction, passing the settlement of Bokosi Kunga at 9:58 a.m. Shortly thereafter, it turned right and then to a northeastern heading. The altitude decreased to about 5,400 feet.
Approximately 2 nautical miles south of a wood industry plant, the aircraft turned left and climbed to the north. Between 10:06 a.m. and 10:09 a.m., about 3 nautical miles northwest of Chikangawa City, the aircraft performed two full left turns with a radius of about 600 meters, while flying between 500 and 200 feet above ground level.
From 10:09 a.m. onward, the airplane continued on various headings in a northeastern direction, descending to 185 feet above ground level before beginning to climb again. By 10:12 a.m., it was approximately 25 nautical miles southwest of Mzuzu Airport at about 7,000 feet, and two minutes later, it had descended to approximately 2,200 feet.
The aircraft then turned north and descended again. At 10:15 a.m., it turned left in a northwestern direction. Finally, at 10:16 a.m., the aircraft impacted the ground.
All nine occupants suffered fatal injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. After a one-day search, the accident site was located. The Flight Information Officer at Mzuzu Airport reported that bad weather prevailed, and conditions continued to deteriorate. The flight crew had not reported in by 9:50 a.m., prompting him to attempt contact by radio, which failed. At 10:05 a.m., he contacted Lilongwe Area Control Centre to confirm the aircraft’s estimated arrival time. At 10:12 a.m., the flight crew reported on the Mzuzu Tower frequency, indicating they were 20 nautical miles away and intending an approach from the north.
The Flight Information Officer provided weather information and runway details, noting visibility was about 5 kilometers east, south, and west of the airport. The flight crew requested to fly toward Ekwendeni to check for better weather conditions. By 10:17 a.m., attempts to contact the flight crew by radio were unsuccessful.
The BFU interim report highlighted several critical issues. “The aircraft’s reliance on outdated communication technology, including mobile phones for critical communications instead of advanced radar and satellite systems, contributed significantly to the incident,” the report stated.
“Additionally, the lack of Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) devices, which were not required by current regulations for military flights in Malawi, further hampered the investigation.” The report also noted that the aircraft’s maneuvers, including multiple turns and altitude changes, suggested that “the flight was encountering challenging weather conditions that impacted its stability and control.”
The interim report was signed by Dr. Klaus Berger, Head of the BFU Investigation Team. The full report is expected to be released later this year. In the meantime, the government has vowed to cooperate fully with international experts and implement any recommendations made to prevent future tragedies.
As the nation mourns the loss of its citizens, there is a growing demand for action. The crash of the Dornier 228-202(K) has exposed vulnerabilities in Malawi’s aviation sector, and the country must now confront the harsh reality of its outdated infrastructure and the dire need for modernization.
The Atlas Malawi will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
