4 pilots killed as chopper crashes near JNI Airport

Wananchi look at wreckage of a helicopter property of the ministry for Natural Resources and Tourism after it crashed at Kipunguni B on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam yesterday. PHOTO | RAFAEL LUBAVA 

By Athuman Mtulya The Citizen Reporter

In Summary

It was officially handed over to the government in July by US Ambassador Mark Childress, who said then that “the bad guys (poachers) would now be combatted both on air and on the ground”.

Dar es Salaam. Four pilots were killed yesterday after a chopper they were testing crashed a few kilometres from Julius Nyerere International Airport. The plane crashed in a residential area in Kipunguni B but no one else was hurt.

Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Suleiman Kova visited the site and told journalists that the accident happened at around 10am and the chopper belonged to the ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources.

The dead men were the ministry’s pilot, Captain Alfayo, and three police pilots--Superintendent Kidaes Singano, Inspector Simba Musa and Constable Josu Selesna.

Said Mr Kova: “Technical teams are here to establish the cause of the accident and the first impression they have is that it was caused by a technical problem.”

The pilots were able to crash land on a narrow street with houses on each side and only electricity cables were damaged.

According to a witness, the helicopter was flying low and appeared out of control just before there was a big bang.

Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Said Meck Sadick thanked the residents for their efforts to help the pilots but told them that they had succumbed to their wounds. “You acted bravely,” Mr Sadick added. “Others think of stealing from the victims first but you tried your best to save them and took them to hospital, but they died on the way.”

The accident is a big blow to the anti-poaching war since the chopper was designated to help in jumbo surveillance in Selous Game Reserve.

The Chopper, Raven 44 II, was a gift from American philanthropist Howard Buffet, the son of billionaire Warren Buffet.

It was officially handed over to the government in July by US Ambassador Mark Childress, who said then that “the bad guys (poachers) would now be combatted both on air and on the ground”.

The minister for Tourism and Natural Resources, who received the chopper, said he was saddened by the accident and his thoughts were with the families.

He added: “I can confirm that it was our chopper, and we have lost four of our competent and experienced pilots. I am saddened by their demise and, at this difficult time, I extend my condolences to their grieving families.”