What happened
A twin-engine aircraft departed from Harare-Robert Gabriel Mugabe Airport while operating a charter service to a safari camp. The flight was transporting two pilots and eight passengers at the time of the incident. During the flight, the crew experienced issues with the engines, which necessitated an immediate diversion to an alternative landing site.
The crew opted to land in the Kanyable region of northern Zimbabwe, situated near the borders of Zambia and Mozambique. As the aircraft touched down on the uneven terrain, the landing gear collapsed. This caused the plane to slide for several dozen meters across the ground before the movement ceased.
While the twin-engine aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss, there were no injuries reported among the 10 occupants. All passengers and crew members successfully evacuated the wreckage without harm.
Findings
- The primary reason for the diversion was engine problems encountered during the en route phase of the flight.
- The loss of the undercarriage was a direct result of the landing being performed on rough, unpaved terrain.