A Malawian parliamentary committee is preparing to launch a comprehensive investigation into the June 2024 plane crash that killed Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and nine others, with full-scale probes set to begin by mid-May 2026 after months of preparatory work.
Speaker Sameer Suleman appointed a 13-member Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee in late March 2026, chaired by Walter Nyamilandu Manda and drawn from across the political spectrum. The committee completed its preparatory phase by late April 2026, drafting terms of reference, defining the scope of the inquiry, and developing a structured investigative roadmap.
“The Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee established to conduct a fresh inquiry into the Chikangawa Plane Crash has successfully concluded its preparatory work and is now ready to commence investigations,” Nyamilandu said. He pledged the process would be carried out with fairness, professionalism, and transparency.
The probe will run three parallel tracks: a health, safety, security, and environmental audit; a forensic audit; and autopsy and post-mortem examinations. The committee expects to hear from over 150 witnesses and has called on the public to come forward with any relevant information. The 90-day investigation is scheduled to conclude with findings presented to Parliament.
Chilima’s United Transformation Movement party has welcomed the new inquiry, as have many Malawians who have long demanded definitive answers about the crash that shook the nation nearly two years ago.
President Peter Mutharika ordered the new investigation after Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Charles Mhango announced to parliament in February 2026 that previous reports failed to adequately address critical questions surrounding the June 2024 crash.
The formation was not without friction — the Malawi Congress Party initially withdrew from the process over impartiality concerns before rejoining following negotiations brokered by the Speaker.
Two prior investigations left many Malawians unsatisfied. The original investigation by the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation, released in May 2025, determined that marginal weather conditions with poor visibility caused the Dornier 228-202(K) aircraft to collide with rising terrain, giving those aboard no chance of survival. However, the report noted that radio communications between the flight crew and air navigation service units in Lilongwe were not recorded. A separate commission established by then-President Lazarus Chakwera concluded in December 2024 that no evidence of foul play existed, attributing the disaster to human and environmental factors.
The military aircraft went down on June 10, 2024, in the Chikangawa Forest in northern Malawi, killing Saulos Klaus Chilima and nine others, including former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri. The Dornier 228-202K aircraft left Lilongwe at 9:17 a.m., but due to low visibility, it couldn’t land at Mzuzu airport. The plane was redirected to Lilongwe but subsequently lost contact with air traffic control and disappeared from radar.
Chilima was heading to the funeral of Malawi’s ex-justice minister in Mzuzu and had recently returned from South Korea where he attended the Korea-Africa summit.
President Chakwera confirmed in a national address that the search and rescue operation had ended. “I am heartbroken to announce that this has ended in a dreadful tragedy. The search and rescue team located the aircraft near a hill, completely destroyed with no survivors,” he said. The military has begun transporting the remains of the victims back to the capital, he further confirmed.
International support played a crucial role in the search and rescue operations, with countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Israel providing specialized equipment. The U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe expressed its deep concern regarding the crash and offered all available aid, including a Defense C-12 aircraft.
Images shared online showed security and rescue personnel at the crash site with aircraft debris strewn around the plane’s tail section.
“Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima was a good man, a dedicated father and husband, a patriotic citizen who served his nation with distinction, and a formidable vice president,” Chakwera said, paying tribute.
The crash plunged Malawi into mourning, with many expressing their condolences. AFP news agency reports stated that Chilima was widely loved, particularly among the youth.
Chilima, 51, was previously the director of Airtel Malawi and the leader of the United Transformation Movement party. He partnered with Chakwera to form the ruling Tonse Alliance and was his running mate during their successful 2020 election campaign. However, as the 2025 presidential election approached, their relationship faced tension, with Chilima expected to challenge Chakwera.
Chilima was survived by his wife, Mary, and their two children, Sean and Elizabeth.
In 2022, Chilima was arrested over corruption allegations. However, the charges were dropped when the Director of Public Prosecutions filed a notice to discontinue the case. Throughout the legal process, Chilima asserted his innocence.
President Chakwera declared a national day of mourning to honor those who died in the crash.