In a very depressing occurrence, an Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) K-8 trainer aircraft crashed in the Midlands capital of Gweru, killing a trainee pilot.
The incident occurred last week in the Guinea Fowl area, according to a statement released by the Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), General Philip Valerio Sibanda.
The deceased trainee pilot has been identified as Air Lieutenant Nesbert Tambudza.
A local publication quoted General Sibanda as saying that the entire ZDF is mourning the sad loss of a talented pilot who was on a solo consolidation general handling navigation training.
Reports say the late Air Lieutenant was selected to undergo a jet flying conversion training course at Number 2 Squadron, Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base in Gweru, and was in the final phase of training on the K-8 jet.
No civilian casualties or damage to property on the ground were reported on the crash.
Meanwhile, the AFZ has since constituted a Board of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the accident.
