By Burnett Munthali
The ongoing Commission of Inquiry into the tragic plane crash involving Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima has uncovered significant findings regarding the Dornier aircraft involved in the accident. Investigators have revealed that prior to the crash, the aircraft did not experience any major mechanical issues, despite some concerns raised by the crew before takeoff.
According to the findings, the Dornier aircraft had no notable problems when it took off on June 9-10, 2024. The flight crew had raised some concerns but confirmed that there were no substantial mechanical failures reported at the time of departure. This has added a new layer of complexity to the investigation as investigators now look deeper into the factors that contributed to the crash.
Another revelation from the inquiry focuses on the aircraft’s operational history. The Dornier was initially designed to fly for 29,000 hours, but by the time of the crash, the plane had flown more than 3,000 hours beyond its expected lifespan. This finding has raised questions about the aircraft’s maintenance and the decision to continue flying it despite the excess hours.
These new findings may play a crucial role in the investigation as the Commission works to determine whether the aircraft’s extended flight hours contributed to the crash. Investigators are now examining the maintenance records and the conditions under which the Dornier was operating at the time of the incident.
The Commission, led by Justice Jabbar Alide, continues to probe into the causes of the crash, with the hope of providing clarity and accountability. As more details emerge, the public eagerly awaits the full report to understand the factors that led to the loss of lives in this devastating accident.
