All requirements for a plane crash investigation

The commission of inquiry established to investigate the June 10, 2024 plane crash that killed Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight other people is authorized to conduct its proceedings publicly, according to details obtained by Weekend Nation.

However, the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, a copy of which we have, also allow for private sessions if deemed necessary.

Social and human rights activist Sylvester Namiwa, who was among those pressuring the government to launch an investigation, resigned from the commission just two days after taking the oath, citing the decision to conduct the inquiry in camera rather than publicly.

The committee’s chairman, Malawi Supreme Court Justice Jabber Alide, did not respond to our inquiries about why this resolution was reached.

In accordance with the Terms of Reference, the Commission will establish procedures for awarding contracts for the use of the MAF-TO3 aircraft from the Malawi Air Force.

Additionally, it will assess the condition and operation of MAF-TO3 on the day of the accident and on the previous day.

The document reads in part: “Determine a missing aircraft report. When the Malawi Air Force was informed, it responded by deciding on the course and sequence of events.

“Escalation of missing aircraft notification to His Excellency the President, what was communicated to him and what guidance the President issued.”

A critical aspect of the investigation will be assessing the status, conditions, experience and capabilities of the crew operating MAF-TO3.

The Commission will also analyze the aviation protocols applicable at both departure and destination points.

The team is also tasked with investigating all communications between passengers aboard MAF-TO3 and those on the ground during the flight.

The investigation will also cover search and rescue operations from their initiation to the discovery of the plane wreckage on June 11, 2024.

The commission aims to determine the probable cause of the accident and assess the survivability of all people on board.

Additionally, the commission will consider all aspects surrounding the death of Chilima and the other passengers, including the cause of death and the sequence of events leading to the crash.

It reads: “The written report will contain a set of recommendations on any matter the committee considers appropriate. The report will then be published on the government website after being presented to His Excellency the President.”

President Lazarus Chakwera established this committee last Friday and apart from Justice Alide, it includes the following members: Monsignor Patrick Thawale, Pastor Toney Nyirenda, Bishop Mary Nkosi, Dr Sunduzwayo Madise, Inkosi Ya Makhosi M’mbelwa V, Senior Chief Makwangwala, Justin Mkandawire and Brigadier Cosgrove Mituka (retd), Emma Kaliya, Dixie Kwatani, Professor Nyengo Mkandawire, Allan Chinula SC, Esther Chioko, Nimia Kambiri Mzembe, Lidia Chiotha, Dr Ruth Mwandira and Mirriam Wemba.

The committee’s secretaries are Chizaso Nyirongo and Paul Chiotcha.

The preliminary findings of German investigators show that, among other things, the MDF aircraft was not equipped with a cockpit voice recorder (CVR) or flight data recorder.

According to the US-based National Transportation Safety Board, the CVR records radio transmissions and sounds in the flight deck to aid subsequent investigation if an accident or incident occurs.

The Commission has set the following hearing dates: in Mzuzu from 4 to 9 November 2024, in Blantyre from 13 to 14 November, in Balaka from 15 to 16 November and in Lilongwe from 18 to 23 November 2024.

It is expected to report to the President on its findings and recommendations by November 30, 2024.

In August, Germany’s Federal Aircraft Accident Investigation Office published an interim report that highlighted several technical faults with the crashed Malawi Defense Force aircraft.