A senior Air Force of Zimbabwe pilot died on Friday after his Chengdu J-7/F-7 aircraft crashed in the Carafoc area of Gweru.
As reported by ZimLive, Retired Squadron Leader Vuyo Ncube, a veteran of the Democratic Republic of Congo war, had rejoined the Air Force as a trainer.
The aircraft, a Chinese-built supersonic interceptor, is believed to be one of 12 delivered to Zimbabwe in 1986.
It took off from the nearby Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base, formerly known as Thornhill Air Force Base, and moments later, smoke was seen rising from a wooded area, prompting witnesses to rush to the scene.
ZimLive was told that Ncube’s body was not initially found in the aircraft fuselage, briefly raising hopes that he had managed to eject.
However, his body was eventually discovered a short distance from the wreckage.
In his final communication with ground control, he reportedly shouted “fire” and “aircraft uncontrollable,” an Air Force source was quoted as saying.
More: ZimLive
Did he manage to Eject. Lord have mercy.