Plane Carrying Murowa Diamonds Crashes in Field
February 16, 23
(IDEX Online) - Five people were hurt when a light aircraft owned by Zimbabwe diamond miner RZM Murowa crash-landed as it transported a parcel of rough gems under armed guard, according to local media reports.
The pilot of the twin-engine Piper 31 NAVAJO is said to be in a critical condition with head injuries after the incident on farmland near the town of Chivhu, in the center of the country, on Monday afternoon.
The four others on board - identified as two private security guards, the miner's own security officer and a police officer - are said to be in a stable condition.
Witnesses told The Herald newspaper they believe3d the plane had developed a problem in its left engine.
Police said the diamonds were being taken from the Murowa mine to the company's head offices in the capital Harare, an hour's flight away. Officers are investigating, together with the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe.
A spokesman for Rio Tinto-owned RZM Murowa, formerly Murowa Diamonds, said: "A Piper 31 Navajo aircraft owned by RZM Murowa (Private Limited) force-landed in a farm field approximately 16 kilometres from Beatrice on the 13th of February 2023.
"The cause is yet to be ascertained. There were no casualties on board or on the ground. Damage was limited to the aircraft.
"There will be a full investigation by the company in conjunction with CAAZ, the regulator."
Pic courtesy Twitter shows the crashed plane