The helicopter, operated by local aviation company Alpine Air Services, was transporting a critically ill tourist from one of the higher camps on Africa’s tallest mountain when it went down shortly after take-off. Those killed in the crash included the pilot, Capt. Daniel Mwakalinga, the co-pilot, Joseph Komba, an emergency doctor identified as Dr. Aisha Mohamed, a flight medic, Peter Nyerere, and the patient, a foreign climber whose name has not yet been officially released.
According to the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA), the aircraft encountered severe weather conditions, including strong winds and poor visibility, moments before it lost contact with air traffic control. Rescue teams were later able to locate the wreckage on a steep section of the mountain after an hours-long search involving park rangers and emergency responders.
Kilimanjaro National Park Chief Warden, Charles Mwasumbi, described the incident as “a painful loss,” noting that medical evacuation flights on the mountain are often high-risk due to unpredictable weather and rugged terrain.
An investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the crash, while authorities have extended condolences to the families of the victims. The tragedy has once again raised concerns about safety measures for emergency flights on Mount Kilimanjaro, a destination that attracts thousands of climbers each year.
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