A viral social media post claims that a Zambia Air Force aircraft recently crashed and that authorities concealed the incident from the public. iVerify Zambia found the claim to be false. The aircraft accident being shared occurred at Mukinge Airstrip in North-Western Province on 16 October 2010, and the Zambia Air Force has confirmed that the images and information are being recirculated out of context to falsely portray a recent crash.
Claim
A post published on 6 September 2026 by the Zambia Freedom Facebook page claims that a Zambia Air Force (ZAF) aircraft, registration AF-215, recently crashed in Zambia and that the incident had not been disclosed to the public by the relevant authorities.
The post further calls on the Ministry of Defence to be transparent and provide the public with information about the alleged crash.
To avoid amplifying misinformation, we have removed the link to the misleading post.
Verdict: FALSE
Verification
iVerify Zambia reviewed the claim and found it to be false.
Investigations established that the aircraft crash depicted in the viral post is not a recent incident. The crash occurred on 16 October 2010 at Mukinge Airstrip in North-Western Province.
According to the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A), the aircraft involved was a Harbin Y-12-II operated by the Zambia Air Force. The aircraft had departed from Lusaka carrying staff and supplies on behalf of the Zambian Presidency. Upon landing at Mukinge Airstrip, it veered off the runway and came to rest against trees.
The report states that all occupants escaped without injury, although the aircraft sustained damage beyond economic repair. It also notes that the crew had travelled to Mukinge to prepare for an official visit by the then President Rupiah Banda.
The findings are further corroborated by a Zambia Air Force (ZAF) press statement issued on 7 September 2026, in which the Air Force dismissed claims circulating on social media that one of its aircraft had recently crashed.
According to the statement, the aircraft in question a twin-engine Harbin Y-12 II utility aircraft bearing registration AF-215, was involved in an accident at Mukinge Airstrip on 16 October 2010, not in 2026.
ZAF expressed concern that old images and information were being recirculated out of context, creating the false impression that a recent military aviation accident had occurred.
There is no evidence that a Zambia Air Force aircraft bearing registration AF-215 has crashed recently or that authorities concealed such an incident from the public.
Conclusion
The viral claim is false.
Although the image relates to a genuine Zambia Air Force aircraft accident, it is being presented out of context to suggest that the crash occurred recently. In reality, the incident took place more than 15 years ago, on 16 October 2010, and has been publicly documented.
This is another example of how old images and events can be recycled to create misleading narratives. Members of the public are encouraged to verify such claims through credible and official sources before sharing them.
Evidence
- Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A) accident report on the Harbin Y-12-II aircraft accident at Mukinge Airstrip (16 October 2010).
- Zambia Air Force press statement issued on 7 September 2026 clarifying that the viral claim relates to the 2010 accident.
Help Stop the Spread of Misinformation
Before sharing election-related or public affairs information, verify that it comes from credible and official sources. If you encounter suspicious claims, images or videos, submit them to iVerify Zambia for verification.
Email: factcheck@panos.org.zm
WhatsApp: +260 762 974 750
Together, we can reduce the spread of misinformation and disinformation, promote access to accurate and verified information, and help protect the integrity of public discourse.
