South Africa

Final power assurance checks were carried out on the aircraft’s engines on the morning of the accident. The AME (Aircraft Maintenance Engineer) trimmed the elevator-trim tab to the Full Nose UP position in order to reduce the stick forces required to hold the tail down during the engine power checks, but he did not set the elevator trim back to the neutral position on completion of the checks. The AME was requested by the pilot(s) to remove the aileron and elevator external gust locks and the landing gear down lock pins. He left the rudder lock in place, which was later removed by one of the pilots. The pilot(s) did not carry out a pre-flight inspection. At approximately 1646 on 24 August 1998 the DC3TP, registration number ZS-NKK, crashed during take-off from runway 11 at Wonderboom Airport. The PIC (Pilot-in-Command), who did not wear a shoulder harness, sustained fatal injuries and the co-pilot, who did wear a shoulder harness, serious injures. The accident occurred on the first flight after the aircraft had undergone a maintenance inspection, which included power assurance checks of the engines. The co-pilot sat in the left-hand seat and while he started the engines, the PIC attended to the cockpit checklist.

While cruising at the altitude of 13,000 feet on the leg from Durban to Bulawayo, the crew informed ATC about smoke spreading in the cockpit and was cleared to reduce his altitude. Shortly later, while flying at low altitude, the pilots open the cockpit windows to allow the smoke to evacuate and elected to make an emergency landing at Vaalwater Aerodrome which offers a grassy runway of 780 metres long and 10 metres wide. After touchdown, the aircraft struck a tree on the left side of the runway, cartwheeled, lost a landing gear and came to rest. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

During the takeoff roll at Lanseria Airport, the crew encountered technical problems and elected to abort. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest, bursting into flames. There were no casualties.

During the takeoff roll un runway 03L at Johannesburg-Jan Smuts Airport, the pilot-in-command started the rotation but the aircraft failed to respond. The captain decided to reject takeoff and initiated an emergency braking procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, struck a concrete block, rolled for 200 metres then lost its left main gear and engine n°1 before coming to rest. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

During the takeoff roll, the twin engine aircraft struck a dip, causing a propeller to struck the ground and the aircraft to lose power and speed. Unable to take off, the aircraft veered off runway to the left, went through three fences, crossed a dirt road and came to rest in an open field. All seven occupants were rescued, among them one was slightly injured. The aircraft was dispatched in Steynsburg to enable five forensic experts and detectives to conduct an investigation of suspected arson, as the Grand Hotel at the town was destroyed by fire.

Shortly after liftoff, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed near the runway end. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

The twin engine aircraft departed Heidelberg Airport for a local training flight with three pilots on board. Ten minutes after takeoff, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in hilly terrain located in the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve. All three occupants were killed.

Crashed in unknown circumstances in a mountainous area near Sabie. Occupant's fate unknown.

The single engine aircraft departed Margate Airport to take part to a combined exercice. En route, while cruising in limited visibility, the crew encountered technical problems with the engine and decided to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft clipped trees and crashed near Bulwer. All 11 occupants escaped uninjured. The passengers were attached to the 41st Squadron.

Shortly after takeoff from Johannesburg-Oliver Reginald Tambo Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed near Boksburg, about 5 km south of the airport. Both occupants were killed.