A light aircraft crash-landed in Kabesha area, Kasempa District, North Western Province, Zambia, on Tuesday, March 26, 2025, police have confirmed.

Zambia Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga identified the aircraft as a Sling 4, serial number 003 and registration number 9J-YUM. The red-colored plane was en route from Mwinilunga to Lusaka when it encountered engine failure, forcing the pilot to activate the parachute system, which helped reduce the impact of the crash.

The incident was reported to Kasempa Police Station at 14:30 hours by Sharon Malata, an Emergency Response Nurse from Mukinge Mission Hospital.

Hamoonga said the aircraft had two occupants: Pilot Daniel Rea, a 47-year-old Zambian engineer from Zengamina Power Company, and passenger Gertrude Okoph, a 34-year-old Kenyan national. Both individuals survived the crash without injuries.

Authorities confirmed the aircraft went down approximately 7.8 km from the M8 road, west of Kasempa Police Station. By the time police officers arrived at the scene, located 200 meters from Old Kalulushi Road, the two occupants had already been airlifted to Lusaka by an African Parks helicopter for medical evaluations.

An inspection of the wreckage revealed a shattered front windshield, a deformed right wing, and a damaged left wing. The Aircraft Accidents Investigations Board has been notified and will conduct further investigations.

Meanwhile, police have secured the crash site and are maintaining surveillance to ensure safety and assist in the inquiry process.