The Herald (Harare)
5 November 2009
Harare — Warthogs on Tuesday night grounded an Air Zimbabwe flight from Harare to Bulawayo after the MA60 aircraft struck the wild pigs on the runway as it prepared to take off.
The plane skidded towards bushes and two of the 34 passengers sustained minor injuries while none of the four crew on board was injured.
However, the two injuries occurred after evacuation.
The accident occurred a few minutes after the Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila's aeroplane had left the airport.
Transport, Communication and Infrastructural Development Minister Nicholas Goche confirmed the mishap, saying the small plane was forced to make an emergency stop.
It is understood that the same aircraft had earlier in the day failed to depart from the Harare International Airport for Bulawayo after developing technical problems soon after take-off.
Sources said after the problem had been fixed and the flight rescheduled, it struck five warthogs, which had most likely escaped from the nearby Mbizi Game Park, and again failed to take the passengers to Zimbabwe's second city.
Minister Goche said: "An Air Zimbabwe MA60 aircraft impacted with warthogs during the take-off roll on November 3, 2009 at approximately 19:36. This resulted in a rejected take-off.
"The aircraft was on the take-off roll and was about to lift off the ground when it hit the five warthogs.
"The (plane's) nose and left main landing gears collapsed after the impact. The aircraft veered off to the left side of the runway and stopped off the runway with damage on the engine propeller and on the wing tip."
The minister, his permanent secretary, Air Zimbabwe staff and Civil Aviation officials attended to the passengers after the accident.
Minister Goche added: "The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe will carry out the investigations on the circumstances leading to the accident in liaison with Air Zimbabwe, the aircraft and engine manufacturers."
The minister emphasised Air Zimbabwe's safety record and paid tribute to the crew for their professional handling the accident.
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