The owners of the helicopter which crashed in Mhondoro on Sunday and killed the pilot say they had been in possession of the R44 helicopter for more than a year now.
The helicopter came down in Lothin Farm popularly known as kwaJojo in the Mhondoro-Chivero area last Sunday killing Captain Peter Chirimuuta (33).
Speaking to The Herald on condition of anonymity on Tuesday, the owners of the helicopter said the plane had no previous mechanical or technical problems. Said the owner:
The helicopter had no previous mechanical or technical issues. When it crashed I was actually waiting for it at Charles Prince Airport so that I could take the pilot home.
As for the cause of the accident, everything so far is still under investigation.
The company charters out its aircraft to different destinations across the country from its bases in Victoria Falls and Harare.
President of the Employers Association for Tours and Safari Operations Clement Mukwasi said they were grieved over the death of the pilot. He said:
We are actually very shocked and concerned about the accident involving the death of the pilot.
Loss of life is always tragic. We are, however, waiting for the authorities to get to the bottom of the matter.
Captain Chirimuuta leaves behind a wife and two children.