2 pilots dead in Zimbabwe military plane crash

2 pilots dead in Zimbabwe military plane crash

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By Agencies

TWO Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) pilots were killed on Thursday night when an AFZ transport aircraft, a Casa 212, crashed on take-off at the Harare International Airport, a statement said Friday.

AFZ Public Relations Officer Flight Lieutenant Simon Matingwina said in the statement that the deceased, Wing Commander Lysias Charuka and Air Lieutenant Aletimi Silayigwana, were on a training sortie when the aircraft crashed soon after taking off.

AFZ Acting Director-general of operations, Group Captain Biltim Chingono, commended the AFZ and the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe rescue teams for responding quickly to the accident.

He said an inquiry had been launched to establish the cause of the accident.

Defense Minister Sydney Sekeramayi visited the site of the accident and expressed his deepest condolences to the families.

"It is with heavy hearts that we learnt of the accident and may the souls of our deceased pilots rest in eternal peace," he said - Xinhuanet
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