Chivayo aide recounts pilot’s final radio calls before fatal helicopter crash

A security aide attached to Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has recounted the final moments before the helicopter carrying the businessman crashed on September 30, 2026, describing increasingly concerning radio exchanges as the pilots encountered difficult weather conditions.

The aide, who was travelling in a separate helicopter, said both aircraft were returning from the same area when the weather deteriorated, prompting the pilots to consider an alternative route.

Pilot reported being trapped in bad weather

According to the aide, the pilot of the helicopter carrying Chivayo suggested changing their route after encountering challenging conditions.

“On our way back, the weather became challenging, and our pilot suggested that we reroute and go via Bromley instead,” the aide said.

He said radio communication between the two aircraft soon became increasingly worrying, with Chivayo’s pilot repeatedly reporting difficulties navigating the weather.

“What I observed during the pilots’ communication was that the pilot flying the boss (Chivayo) kept saying: ‘I’m in bad weather, I haven’t exited the cloud.’”

The aide said the pilot’s transmissions suggested that the situation was becoming increasingly difficult.

Final radio exchange raises concern

According to the aide, the stricken helicopter’s last confirmed communication placed it somewhere over Surrey.

The situation became more alarming when the pilot of the aide’s helicopter reported being about 10 minutes from their destination.

“The pilot flying the boss appeared confused, asking, ‘Which destination?’ Our pilot responded that Marondera, but no reply came. All communication with the other helicopter was lost,” the aide recounted.

The loss of communication was followed by the crash, which killed the occupants of the helicopter.

Investigators are yet to establish the official cause of the accident.

Aide corrects reported death toll

The aide also sought to correct the number of fatalities reported in the immediate aftermath of the crash.

While earlier reports had indicated that six people had died, he said five people were killed in the accident. His account did not provide further details about the identities of all those who died.

Chivayo was among those travelling in the ill-fated helicopter.

His death has attracted widespread attention because of his prominent public profile and business interests, while the aide’s account has provided additional details about the circumstances preceding the crash.

Chivayo’s final journey

The businessman and those accompanying him had reportedly been at a site where construction of their rural home was underway before beginning their return journey.

According to the account, the helicopter crashed about 40 minutes after the group left the area.