Zambian Vice-President Survives Air Force Helicopter Crash on Take-Off in Nakonde

A Zambia Air Force Sikorsky S-76C++ carrying Vice-President Mutale Nalumango crashed shortly after take-off at Nakonde on July 9, 2026. All eight people on board escaped unhurt.

A Zambia Air Force Sikorsky S-76C++ VIP helicopter carrying Vice-President Dr. Mutale Nalumango crashed shortly after take-off at Nakonde, in Zambia's Muchinga Province near the Tanzanian border, on July 9, 2026. All eight people on board, including the Vice-President, escaped without serious injury.

The helicopter, registration AF717, went down during the initial climb, moments after departing Nakonde. According to preliminary reports, it struck a tree and came down in an open area roughly 50 meters from its departure point, without hitting nearby structures. The airframe was substantially damaged. The Aviation Safety Network records eight occupants and no fatalities.

Nalumango was traveling in the border region as part of a campaign tour ahead of Zambia's general elections, scheduled for next month. She underwent a routine medical check after the accident and was discharged in good health. "God saved me," the Vice-President said afterwards, according to Open Zambia.

The S-76C++ is a twin-engine executive variant of Sikorsky's S-76 family, widely used for VIP and government transport. The aircraft involved had a long civilian history under multiple registrations before entering Zambia Air Force service, according to Aviation Safety Network records.

The Zambia Air Force operates a modest fleet built around training and transport types. According to GlobalMilitary.net data, its largest holdings in 2026 are 15 K-8 jet trainers, 12 Bell 205 utility helicopters and 11 SF-260 trainers, complemented by L-15 light combat jets, Mi-171 and Z-9 helicopters, and a pair of C-27J Spartan transports. Rotary-wing types perform much of the government's VIP transport work across Zambia's road-scarce interior.

The cause of the accident has not been established. Zambian authorities are expected to open an investigation into the crash.