Chivayo Helicopter Crash: Fuel Spill Triggered Fire, Investigators Say

Zimbabwean aviation investigators say fuel spilled from the helicopter that killed businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife and four others before a fire broke out at the crash site.

The preliminary account offers the first details of the aftermath of Wednesday’s fatal crash in Marondera, east of Harare. However, authorities have yet to establish what caused the aircraft to go down.

George Mashababe, director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, said the helicopter’s impact with the ground appeared to have caused the fuel spill, which was followed by a fire that spread to nearby grass.

“The helicopter has a tail with blades, and when the body of the helicopter hit the ground, it appears that there was impact and a spillage of fuel, which resulted in a fire that followed the fuel that had spilt on the ground,” Mashababe said, according to The Guardian.

He said investigations were continuing, with a more detailed account expected as the inquiry progresses.

The preliminary findings describe what happened after the helicopter hit the ground. They do not establish why it crashed.

Six people killed in Marondera

The helicopter crashed at about 5pm local time on Wednesday, September 30, in the Marondera Rural area of Mashonaland East province.

All six people on board died. They included Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, as well as two pilots and other passengers.

Zimbabwean police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that six people were aboard the aircraft. Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana later said there were no survivors.

The crash site was attended by emergency responders and investigators, while forensic teams were deployed to help establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

A family spokesperson, Herbert Chivayo, confirmed the deaths of the businessman and his wife.

The aircraft had reportedly departed from the Gandami area of Chikomba, where the couple were building a rural home. Zimbabwean state broadcaster ZBC reported that it crashed at Kudenga Farm around 40 minutes after take-off.

Investigators have not publicly established the cause of the accident.

Ruto mourns ‘dear friend’

The deaths have also drawn a response from President William Ruto, who described Chivayo as a close friend.

In a message of condolence, Ruto said he was saddened by the deaths of the businessman, his wife and the other people aboard the helicopter.

“Wicknell was a dear friend whose warmth touched many people. I will remember him for his friendship, his energy and his deep conviction in the possibilities of our continent,” the President said.

Ruto also sent condolences to the families of the victims, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the people of Zimbabwe.

The relationship between the two men had been visible in public appearances and social media posts.

In August, Chivayo shared a video of Ruto driving him to a helipad at the President’s home in Kilgoris, Narok County. Chivayo was in Kenya to attend a traditional engagement ceremony for Ruto’s daughter, Charlene.

The video offered a glimpse of the personal relationship that Ruto later recalled in his tribute.

What investigators still need to establish

The immediate focus of the inquiry is to determine what caused the helicopter to crash.

The reported fuel spill and fire are important details for investigators, but they are not, on their own, an explanation for the accident.

A full investigation would need to establish the sequence of events leading up to the impact and examine the available evidence from the aircraft and crash site.

Authorities have not yet announced a final finding.

For now, the deaths of Chivayo, Muteke and the four other occupants have left families grieving, while investigators work to establish what happened in the moments before the helicopter came down.

Category: International

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.