Tragedy struck the Air Force of Zimbabwe once again on September 9, 2025, when an SF-260 trainer aircraft plummeted to the ground shortly after takeoff from Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base in Gweru during a standard training mission. The incident claimed the lives of two personnel: experienced instructor Squadron Leader Chidyausiku, who perished at the scene, and the trainee pilot, who succumbed to severe injuries hours later in medical care. This loss not only deepens the grief within the service but also amplifies concerns over the reliability of Zimbabwe’s ageing fleet of basic trainers, which have been involved in multiple fatal accidents in recent years. The Air Force promptly initiated a formal inquiry to determine the cause, focusing on factors such as mechanical failure, human error, or environmental conditions that might have contributed to the mishap.
The SF-260, a product of Italian manufacturer SIAI-Marchetti, has long served as a workhorse for pilot training programs around the world, including in Zimbabwe, where it forms the backbone of initial flight instruction. Designed in the 1960s, this single-engine, low-wing aircraft emphasizes simplicity and aerobatic performance, making it suitable for ab initio training as well as light attack roles in some configurations. It accommodates a crew of two in tandem seating, with the instructor typically positioned in the rear to oversee the student’s handling. Physically, the SF-260 spans 8.35 meters across its wings, measures 7.10 meters in length, and stands 2.41 meters tall. Powered by a Lycoming O-540 piston engine delivering up to 260 horsepower, it achieves a maximum speed of around 275 miles per hour, cruises comfortably at 205 miles per hour, and offers a range extending to 1,275 miles. Its service ceiling reaches 19,000 feet, while a rate of climb near 1,800 feet per minute allows for efficient ascents during maneuvers. With an empty weight of 1,710 pounds and a maximum takeoff weight of 2,430 pounds, the aircraft carries up to 62 gallons of fuel, balancing endurance with agility. These attributes have made it a favourite for militaries seeking cost-effective platforms for building pilot skills, from basic navigation to formation flying and even weapons delivery in armed variants.
Yet, in Zimbabwe’s hands, the SF-260’s track record reveals vulnerabilities tied to age, maintenance challenges, and operational demands. The September 2025 crash echoes a disturbing pattern; just over two years prior, in February 2023, another SF-260 struck power lines during a routine sortie near Mlezu College outside Gweru, resulting in the immediate deaths of Group Captain Benson Munyanduki and Wing Commander Daniel Mawadza. That accident, occurring in the same vicinity as the base, prompted questions about low-level training protocols and obstacle avoidance in densely wired rural areas. Further back, in November 2020, a similar trainer went down in Somabhula, approximately 24 kilometres southwest of Gweru, killing instructor Squadron Leader Mkhululi Dube and trainee Silungile Sweswe on impact. Air Marshal Elson Moyo, the Air Force commander, confirmed at the time that the aircraft had departed from Josiah Tungamirai Base for a standard exercise, only to crash in a residential compound without prior indications of distress. These incidents, clustered around the nation’s primary training hub, suggest systemic issues beyond isolated errors, possibly linked to wear on airframes acquired decades ago or constraints on spare parts due to economic pressures and international sanctions.
The Zimbabwean Armed Forces have been struggling with old and obsolete platforms for several years. Similarly, in October 2018, an SF-260 trainer crashed at Josiah Tungamirai AFB in Gweru, 2 killed. Also, in September 2014, the AFZ lost another SF-260 in a fatal crash during a routine training mission.
Such repeated losses have strained the Air Force’s resources and morale, as each crash diminishes the pool of skilled aviators essential for national defence and disaster response. Zimbabwe’s military aviation operates in a resource-limited environment, where budgets for upgrades compete with broader economic woes; the SF-260 fleet, while durable in design, requires rigorous upkeep to mitigate risks from engine malfunctions or structural fatigue. Analysts point to the need for enhanced simulation training to reduce live-flight hazards, alongside better integration of modern avionics for collision avoidance. The pattern of accidents near Gweru, a central Midlands province location, also raises queries about airspace management in proximity to civilian infrastructure like power grids, which have proven deadly in low-altitude operations.
In response to these challenges, Zimbabwe has pursued fleet modernisation through international partnerships. A key initiative involves acquiring 12 Super Mushshak trainers from Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra, a deal finalised in 2024 following negotiations sparked at the 2022 International Defence Exhibition and Seminar in Karachi. Led by Air Vice Marshal Biltim Chingono, a Zimbabwean delegation sealed the multi-million-dollar agreement amid broader efforts to diversify suppliers and replace outdated platforms. The Super Mushshak, an evolved version of the MFI-17, stands out for its robustness and adaptability in austere conditions, featuring a lightweight all-metal airframe with fixed tricycle landing gear for operations from unprepared strips. It seats two or three, powered by a Textron Lycoming IO-540-V4A5 engine producing 260 horsepower, which drives a two-bladed constant-speed propeller. Performance includes a top speed of 270 kilometers per hour, a cruising speed of around 195 kilometers per hour, and a range of 815 kilometers, with a service ceiling of 6,700 meters and a climb rate of 1,220 feet per minute. Its time between overhauls reaches 2,000 hours, promising lower maintenance demands compared to the SF-260. For Zimbabwe, this acquisition aims to enhance safety and efficiency in pilot development, potentially incorporating light armament for secondary roles in border patrols or counter-insurgency.
Beyond hardware, Zimbabwe seeks collaborative expertise to bolster its capabilities. In a notable diplomatic move, Air Marshal Moyo visited Nigeria in early 2025 to request technical support from the Nigerian Air Force, meeting with Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Oladayo Amao at headquarters in Abuja. The agenda covered research and development, unmanned aerial vehicle integration, and cutting-edge training methodologies to address fleet obsolescence and expand operational reach. Nigeria, with its experience in maintaining diverse aircraft amid regional security threats, offers valuable insights into cost-effective upgrades and personnel development. Moyo’s tour included inspections of northeastern units, where practical applications of air power in counter-terrorism could inform Zimbabwe’s strategies for safeguarding economic assets and citizen security. This outreach reflects a broader African trend toward intra-continental cooperation, circumventing Western restrictions to foster self-reliance in defense.
As investigations into the latest SF-260 mishap unfold, the Air Force faces a pivotal moment to implement reforms. Transitioning to the Super Mushshak and leveraging Nigerian know-how could mark a step toward safer skies, but success hinges on sustained investment and rigorous standards. For a nation reliant on air mobility for everything from medical evacuations to sovereignty protection, these efforts carry weight far beyond the cockpit.
