On this day one year ago, a tragic accident claimed the life of a promising young pilot during a routine training mission, highlighting the risks faced by Zimbabwe’s air force personnel. Air Lieutenant Nesbert Tambudza, a trainee at Number 2 Squadron, Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base in Gweru, was flying solo in a Karakorum-8 (K-8) jet trainer during a navigation exercise. The aircraft crashed approximately 5 kilometers east of Guinea Fowl, about 20 km southeast of Gweru, suffering extensive damage on impact with the ground.
Tambudza, described by Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander General Phillip Valerio Sibanda as a “brilliant and committed” officer with “immense potential,” was in the final phase of his jet conversion training and died at the scene. The ZDF confirmed no civilian casualties or property damage occurred, expressing deep sorrow for the loss. A Board of Inquiry was immediately established to probe the cause, potentially including technical issues or human factors, though results were not publicly detailed at the time.
Commander Sibanda extended condolences on behalf of the forces, noting Tambudza’s selection for advanced training as a testament to his skill. This incident added to a series of Air Force of Zimbabwe training mishaps near Gweru, including SF-260 crashes in 2014, 2020, and 2023 that also proved fatal. The K-8, a Chinese-made jet trainer in Zimbabwe’s fleet since the 1980s (with about 10 operational as of 2023), underscores ongoing challenges in military aviation maintenance and training safety.
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