# Zimbabwe Air Force Bell 412 helicopter crashes, four killed

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2021/04/zimbabwe-air-force-bell-412-helicopter-crashes-four-killed/
- Published: 2021-04-24T17:11:02+01:00
- Author: Patrick Kenyette

An Air Force of Zimbabwe Agusta Bell 412 (AB 412) helicopter crashed on Friday, 
23 April killing three crew members and a child on the ground as it came down on
a house.

The Agusta Bell 412 (AB 412) helicopter from Number 8 Sqn crashed in Hukuru area
near Harare. Four crew members and one civilian on the ground died.

The helicopter was on a training mission, with two pilots and a technician when 
it disappeared on the radar.

The Bell 412 helicopter crashed on a house in Arcturus, a farming area some 30 km
east of the capital Harare.

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“We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives after the unfortunate accident,” Air
Marshal Elson Moyo said.

A video released on Social media charred parts of the helicopter and security forces
conducting an investigation.

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It is still uncertain the cause of the crash.

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The No.8 squadron has been flying Bell 412SP helicopters since the Second Congo 
War in 1998 which were later armed with rocket launchers.

Similarly, a SIAI-Marchetti SF260 trainer aircraft belonging to the Air Force of
Zimbabwe (AFZ) [crashed](https://www.military.africa/2021/04/zimbabwe-air-force-bell-412-helicopter-crashes-four-killed/military.africa/2020/12/air-force-of-zimbabwe-sf-260-trainer-crash-pilots-killed)
in a compound in Somabhula, about 24 km south-west of Gweru, near the central city
of Gweru, killing both pilots last year December.

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