Retired civil aviation pilot Captain Jackson John Sagawa has called for stronger aviation safety systems in Malawi, saying lessons from the current aircraft incident should be used to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Captain Sagawa made the remarks while appearing before the committee investigating the incident, chaired by Walter Nymilandu Manda.
He explained that aviation is a highly disciplined industry governed by established procedures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which pilots are required to follow before and during flights.
According to Captain Sagawa, while procedures provide guidance, the pilot remains responsible for making final operational decisions during a flight.
He stressed the need for well-trained aviation personnel and adequate equipment, particularly within the military aviation sector.
Captain Sagawa said military pilots need regular access to aircraft to maintain their practical experience and operational skills. He therefore urged government to invest in reliable aircraft, training and other aviation equipment, including opportunities for personnel to undertake specialised training and attachments abroad.
The former pilot also cautioned against drawing conclusions about the recent incident without examining all available evidence.
He identified the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) as an important piece of evidence that could help investigators establish what was discussed in the cockpit and the decisions made by the crew before and during the incident.
Captain Sagawa further suggested that some factors contributing to the incident may have occurred before the aircraft took off, with a series of mistakes potentially becoming compounded until the situation reached a critical stage.
He, however, said it would be difficult to make a definitive assessment without access to the relevant SOPs and other evidence.
Meanwhile, the committee, under the leadership of Walter Nymilandu Manda, says it is making progress with the investigation and continues to gather information from witnesses and other sources.
The committee has indicated that its work has entered the search and rescue phase, while additional information is still being obtained from eyewitnesses.
The proceedings have also emphasised the importance of witnesses providing truthful and accurate information to assist the committee in establishing what happened.
Captain Sagawa’s testimony has highlighted the need for Malawi to strengthen aviation standards, training, equipment and compliance with established procedures to improve safety and help prevent similar incidents in the future.
