Two people injured in plane crash
Two people identified as Cedreck McFerson, 46, of Manondo Estate in Namitete, Lilongwe and Lynne Clifford, 48, of Thuma Forest Reserve in Salima have escaped a deadly crash after a plane they were flying in crashed in the forest.
Salima Police Station spokesperson Gift Chitowe said the accident, which occured Friday, was caused by a pilot error.
“The two boarded a private gyrocopter CU-RCD Subaru 2.5 registration RAF 2000 from Kamuzu International Airport to Thuma.
“Upon reaching Thuma Forest, one of the plane’s blades hit a tree, resulting in the pilot to lose control and later crashed,” he said.
Chitowe said McFerson sustained fractures on both ankles while Clifford sustained a fracture on her right arm and were both rushed to a Lilongwe Private Clinic.
Thuma Forest game scout Gofrey Umali said the aircraft belongs to Lynne Crifford, a white lady residing close to the forest reserve. n
This helicopter crash was not caused by pilot error. Both passengers would have been killed following a catastrophic engine failure had it not been for the skill of the pilot who was able to land the machine under very challenging circumstances. Lynn Clifford does not own the helicopter. However, she is the director of the Wildlife Action Group which helps protect elephants and the forest in the Thuma Forest Reserve. She’s not just a “white lady living close to the reserve”!