The witness hearings into the June 10, 2024, Chikangawa plane crash are still in progress, with the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee engaging several witnesses as part of its investigation.
The committee is now in the second phase of the investigation and has engaged four witnesses so far, including Mzuzu Airport Air Traffic Information Officer Joseph Moyo, who was on duty on the day of the crash.
Appearing before the committee, Moyo said he had worked at Mzuzu Airport for at least 16 years. He said the aircraft that crashed, carrying three crew members and six passengers, including Vice President Saulos Chilima, was expected to land in Mzuzu at 10:02.
In his testimony, Moyo said the estimated landing time at the airport was 08:02, which was 10:02 local time. At 07:50, which was 09:50 local time, he tried to establish communication with the aircraft, but there was no contact.
He said he separately tried to establish communication, but to no avail, and that at 10:05 local time, he called KIA Tower and the duty officer to verify whether he had been given the correct estimated time of arrival for the aircraft, which was confirmed.
“I gave them the PFI, which is the weather, and runway in use. I also gave them my observation that east, south, and west of the field, visibility is five kilometres, and he immediately said he was heading to the Ekwendeni area to see if it was clear.
“After five minutes, I tried to check the position and altitude, but there was no response. After another five minutes, I tried to call, but still no response. I therefore kept on trying to establish communication, but to no avail,” Moyo added.
He further indicated that 30 minutes after his initial contact, he called KIA Tower to check if they were in contact with the aircraft, but was told they were not. He also called officials on duty in Karonga to check for a possible diversion, but this was also negative.
“At 11:20 GMT, I advised all authorities that we should activate the Rescue Coordination Centre and embark on search and rescue. I called the commanding officer, and the Police Commissioner was informed about it by the airport Police Officer-in-Charge at that particular time. They should send messages on the radio to all police units and stations if they might hear news of the missing aircraft,” he explained.
