Malawi: Chilima Plane Crash Inquiry Lays Bare Malawi's Aviation Safety Crisis

What the report says

A parliamentary inquiry in Malawi has used testimony from civil aviation officials to highlight what lawmakers and investigators describe as serious weaknesses in the country’s aviation safety system, following the June 10, 2024 plane crash that killed Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others. The article, published by Nyasa Times and distributed by AllAfrica, says the hearing focused on whether gaps in infrastructure and oversight may have affected the flight’s outcome.

Fredrick Chisepeya, who leads aerodromes and air navigation standards at Malawi’s Civil Aviation Authority, told the committee that the country has limited radar coverage and may struggle to pass an International Civil Aviation Organisation audit without major investment. He said Malawi has only one secondary surveillance radar, based at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, and that low-flying aircraft can fall outside its range.

The testimony also raised concerns about Mzuzu Airport, the intended destination of the Malawi Defence Force aircraft. According to the report, Chisepeya said the airport’s protection level was below the standard required for a medium-sized aircraft and that its fire response and runway conditions were inadequate. He also said the airport was not properly licensed at the time of the crash, later receiving a conditional licence in 2025.

The inquiry’s broader significance is that it points to possible systemic underinvestment in aviation safety, not just questions about the accident itself. The report suggests the case may prompt further scrutiny of airport licensing, enforcement, and emergency preparedness across Malawi.