2026 Parliamentary Investigation into the Chikangawa plane crash
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The 2026 Parliamentary Investigation into the Chikangawa plane crash is a Malawian government-mandated review ordered in February 2026 to revisit the circumstances of the 10 June 2024 military aircraft accident that killed former Vice-president Saulos Chilima and eight others. The decision followed a review by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Charles Mhango, who reported to Parliament that earlier inquiries, including the 2024 commission of inquiry and the two assessments conducted by German aviation experts, had left key questions unanswered. Parliament was directed to appoint an ad hoc committee, supported by international aviation experts, to carry out the new investigation.[1][2]
On 10 June 2024, a Malawian Defence Force Dornier 228 aircraft carrying Vice-president Saulos Chilima, former First Lady Patricia Shanil Muluzi, and seven others crashed in Nthungwa, Chikangawa Forest Reserve in Nkhata Bay District while en route from Lilongwe to Mzuzu to attend a funeral, killing all nine occupants. The accident was Malawi's deadliest aviation incident and drew national shock and public concern over aviation safety and the loss of the vice-president.[3][4]
Initial investigations from the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation found that the crew continued flying at low altitude in marginal weather conditions, leading to loss of situational awareness and controlled flight into terrain. The report also highlighted systemic issues such as inadequate weather briefing procedures, expired emergency locator transmitter batteries, and lack of flight data and cockpit voice recorders.[2] A separate Commission of Inquiry established by the government concluded in December 2024 that there was no evidence of foul play, attributing the accident to human and environmental factors including adverse weather.[5]
Despite these official findings, sections of the public, religious leaders, political parties, and civil society questioned whether the full circumstances had been brought to light. Calls for further investigation were driven by concerns that earlier reports had left unanswered questions about aviation safety standards, maintenance lapses, and the circumstances surrounding the crash, leading to sustained pressure on successive governments to revisit the matter.[6][7][8]
Establishment
On 19 March, Speaker of the National Assembly Sameer Suleman announced the formation of a 13-member ad hoc parliamentary committee to conduct the investigation. The committee was to be composed proportionally from political parties represented in Parliament, including four members from the Democratic Progressive Party, three from the Malawi Congress Party, three independent members, and one member each from the United Transformation Movement, United Democratic Front, and People's Party. The Speaker requested party whips to submit nominations for the committee's membership.[9][10]