What happened
A twin-engine aircraft, traveling from South Africa toward Dar es-Salaam, was conducting a Lidar mission involving several planned stops in Tete and Lilongwe. During the flight, the pilot experienced mechanical difficulties related to the engines. In response to these engine problems, the pilot decided to perform an emergency landing.
The aircraft descended into an open field located approximately 45 km southwest of Lilongwe. During the landing sequence, the aircraft sustained significant structural damage, specifically losing its tail section, before coming to a halt. While the aircraft was destroyed in the impact, both the pilot and the single passenger were successfully rescued from the wreckage without fatalities.
Findings
- The pilot encountered engine problems during the flight.
- The aircraft was operating as part of a specialized Lidar mission.
- The impact resulted in the loss of the aircraft's tail section.