LIVE: Commission of inquiry into plane crash continues to present findings

The Commission of Inquiry into the plane crash that killed the State Vice President and 8 others is still reading its findings.

According to the commission, the procurement of the aircraft began on June 9, 2024, when Dr. Lucky Sikwese, Secretary for the Office of the Vice President, contacted Malawi Defense Force (MDF) Commander, Valentino Phiri, to arrange for the aircraft.

The MDF Commander reportedly instructed the team to seek approval from the family of the late Kasambala to use the aircraft. The commission later confirmed that the family had no objections to the Vice President using the plane.

The commission further revealed that four hours after the aircraft’s departure, it became clear that the plane was no longer in the air, leading to the activation of a search and rescue operation.

The team included police, military personnel, Red Cross Society members, and representatives from Mzimba and Mzuzu hospitals, as well as the Civil Aviation team.

The commission noted several issues with the coordination of the search efforts, stating that police, the MDF, and the Red Cross each conducted their own separate searches.

Additionally, Mzuzu Airport attempted to contact the aircraft at 10:17 a.m. via radio but received no response.

The airport later reached out to Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) and Karonga Airport to check if the plane had landed at either location.

At the beginning, commission chairperson, Jabber Alide said the report will be presented to the president and it will be up to him to have it published or not.

Presentation of the findings is still underway in Lilongwe.