Preliminary findings by Zimbabwean authorities have established that fuel spilled when the helicopter carrying billionaire businessman Wicknell Chivayo crashed before a fire broke out at the scene.
The helicopter crashed in the Marondera area at around 5 pm Zimbabwe time on Wednesday, September 30, equivalent to 6 pm Kenyan time.
The impact was followed by a fire that spread to the surrounding grass, leaving sections of the crash site scorched as emergency responders and investigators arrived to examine the wreckage.
Zimbabwe’s Civil Aviation Authority Director General George Mashababe said the fuel leak occurred immediately after the aircraft hit the ground.
“Preliminary findings show that fuel spilt on impact, followed by a fire that burnt the grass at the crash site,” Mashababe said while addressing journalists on Thursday, October 1.
However, Mashababe said investigators had not yet established what caused the helicopter to crash, with inquiries continuing to piece together the circumstances leading to the fatal incident.
The crash claimed the lives of all six people aboard the aircraft, including Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke, her personal aide and two pilots.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that the helicopter was carrying six occupants at the time of the crash.
The group was travelling from Gandami in Chikomba, where Chivayo and Muteke were constructing their rural home, when the helicopter went down at Kudenga Farm. The aircraft reportedly crashed about 40 minutes after taking off.
The latest findings emerged after Transport Minister Felix Mhona visited the crash site as investigators began examining the wreckage and collecting evidence.
During the operation, investigators recovered the aircraft's black box, which is expected to provide crucial information as authorities seek to establish what happened in the moments leading up to the crash.
The death of Chivayo attracted attention in Kenya because of his publicly known friendship with President William Ruto, who had described Chivayo as a dear friend while sending condolences to his family following the fatal crash.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 30, Ruto described the deaths as a painful loss to the families, friends and other people who knew those aboard the helicopter.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of my friend, Wicknell Chivayo, together with his wife, Lucy Muteke, and the other lives lost in the helicopter crash in Zimbabwe,” Ruto said.
Chivayo was the managing director of Intratrek Zimbabwe and had developed a high public profile through his involvement in government contracts, philanthropic activities and frequent displays of wealth on social media.
