Information reaching Kossyderrickent has it that Saulos Chilima was travelling in a missing Dornier 228 plane – a twin-turboprop STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) utility aircraft.
The plane involved in the disappearance of Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others is a Dornier 228 – a twin-turboprop STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) utility aircraft.
This particular model was designed and built by Dornier GmbH which later became part of DASA Dornier and Fairchild-Dornier.
Dornier 228 Specifications
Role: Utility and Transport Aircraft
Manufacturer: Dornier GmbH
First Flight: 28 March 1981
Engines: 2 × Garrett TPE331-5 turboprop engines
Engine Power (each): 704 shp
Maximum Speed: 428 km/h (266 mph)
Range: 1,111 km (690 miles)
Service Ceiling: 8,534 m (28,000 ft)
Capacity: 19 passengers or 2,100 kg (4,630 lb) of cargo
Crew: 2
Empty Weight: 3,086 kg (6,803 lbs)
Max. Takeoff Weight: 5,700 kg (12,566 lbs)
Wing Span: 16.97 m (55 ft 8 in)
Length: 16.56 m (54 ft 4 in)
Height: 4.86 m (15 ft 11 in)
The plane departed from the capital, Lilongwe but failed to land at its scheduled destination Mzuzu International Airport – located approximately 230 miles north.
Since going off the radar, all attempts by aviation authorities to establish contact have been unsuccessful.
The Dornier 228 in question was acquired from Germany several decades ago and has been primarily used for transport by the Malawi Defence Force (MDF).
Despite its age and being overdue for retirement, it remained in active service.
MDF has updated its fleet with the acquisition of two Xian MA600 aircraft.
This incident comes in the wake of another aviation tragedy last month, where Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country’s foreign minister perished in a helicopter crash.
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