Five dead in SA Air Force A109 crash

 All five people on board a South African Air Force A109 Light Utility Helicopter died when their aircraft crashed in the Kruger National Park yesterday evening.

According to Brigadier General Xolani Mabanga, SANDF Director Corporate Communications, the helicopter was on a scheduled aerial patrol of the Kruger National Park as part of the Operation Rhino anti-rhino poaching operation.

The helicopter went down at around 19:00, killing all on board. It is not yet clear what caused the crash, but an investigation into the incident has been launched.

“The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Ngqakula, the Chief of the SANDF, General Solly Shoke and the Chief of the SA Air Force, Lieutenant General Zimpande Msimang express their heartfelt condolences to the families, loved ones and friends of the deceased members,” the South African National Defence Force said in a statement.

Three of the South African Air Force’s 30 AgustaWestland A109s have been involved in crashes. A May 2009 crash into Woodstock Dam that killed all three crewmembers on board was deemed to have resulted from pilot error while two hard landings in November and December 2010 resulted in the type being briefly grounded. The 2010 incidents were due to tail rotor failure and a broken swash plate control rod. Last year the Air Force said that all A109 problems had subsequently been identified and rectified and the aircraft were flying normally.

Earlier this year, two BK-117 helicopters from 15 Squadron’s C Flight were known to be providing aerial surveillance capabilities as part of Operation Rhino.

The A109 crash is the latest in a string of incidents to hit the South African National Defence Force. On December 5, 2012, all eleven people on board an Air Force C-47TP Turbo Dakota were killed when their aircraft crashed in the Drakensberg in bad weather in the worst non-combat crash in 50 years. Last weekend 13 soldiers were killed in a firefight with Central African Republic rebels and 27 injured.


- DefenceWeb

SA Air Force Agusta 109 helicopter crashed just North of Satara, Kruger National Park

 Agusta 109 File Photo



An SA Air Force Agusta 109 crashed just north of Satara just after 18h00 last night. One pilot + 4 other SANDF members on board. All deceased.


It is believed that  the helicopter was as part of "Anti-Rhino-Poaching" operation at the time of the crash.  No further details currently available.

The SA Air Force aviation safety record is getting worse by the day. Several Agusta 109's and other SAAF aircraft crashed in the past.  HERE is a record of SAAF crashes that occurred recently.

Helicopter Crash in Pietermaritzburg CBD (23 March 2l013)

PHOTO: Helicopter crash in #PMB on Mayors Walk. 5 people injured

Paramedics and rescue services had their hands full earlier this morning when a Jetranger helicopter crashed on Mayors Walk in Pietermaritzburg City Centre.

The helicopter crashed onto the road’s surface between buildings leaving all five of its occupants injured. Paramedics on the scene treated two people for critical injuries and three for moderate injuries. All of the occupants were rushed of per ambulance to a nearby hospital for further medical management.

The exact cause is not yet know and will be investigated by the Civil Aviation Authority. The are have also been closed off to the public. It is understood that no one else was injured in this incident.

- ER24

Light aircraft crashes in Alberton

Johannesburg - An ultra-light aircraft crashed near a cemetery in Brackendowns, Alberton on the East Rand on Tuesday, said paramedics.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Santi Steinmann said the only occupant of the one-seater aircraft, a man in his thirties, was critically injured in the crash.

"He was stabilised on the scene and transported to Netcare Union Hospital," said Steinmann.

Details surrounding the crash were still unclear.

- SAPA/News24

Officials: At least 7 killed after plane crashes in Democratic Republic of Congo

(CNN) -- A plane crashed Monday evening in the center of Goma, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, killing at least seven of around 30 people on board, Congolese officials said.

The plane -- a Fokker 50 operated by the Congolese airline Compagnie Africaine d'Aviation -- was carrying passengers and cargo.

In addition to those killed, three injured passengers had been taken to a local hospital, Congolese officials said.

Witnesses said the plane crashed as it was trying to land in bad weather at the Goma airport.

- CNN

Vliegtuig stort op N4 hoofweg neer

Foto: Carminda Swanepoel

Graham Kew, ʼn vlieginstrukteur van Witbank, is beseer nadat sy ligte vliegtuig, ʼn tweesitplek-Jabiroo, Saterdagaand op die N4 tussen Witbank en Middelburg in Mpumalanga neergestort het.

Kew, wat in sy 50’s is, is ʼn vernuftige vlieënier wat ook akrobaatvliegkuns doen. Hy was die enigste persoon in die vliegtuig.

Volgens Willie Swanepoel, ʼn ooggetuie wat eerste op die toneel was, het Kew vanaf die vliegveld opgestyg om oor die Witbank-dam te vlieg toe sy linkervlerk die hoogspanningslyn tref wat oor die N4-hoofweg loop.

“Die vliegtuig het neus eerste op die middelman van die N4-hoofweg tussen Witbank en die Middelburg-tolhek geland en ʼn klomp meter geskuur,” het Swanepoel gesê. “Toe ek by Graham kom, was hy bewusteloos, maar het goed asem gehaal. Ek het wrakstukke wat op hom gelê het, verwyder en by hom gewag. Die ambulans en polisie was binne oomblikke op die toneel.”

“Ons vermoed die vliegtuig het enjinprobleme ondervind,” het Swanepoel bygevoeg. “Ek en my vrou het buite gestaan en kyk hoe hy opstyg, en ons albei het opgemerk dat die enjin vreemd klink. Oomblikke daarna het die ongeluk plaasgevind.”

Halo Aviation, wat mediese nooddienste in Mpumalanga verskaf, sê Kew is na die Kosmos Hospitaal geneem vir verdere behandeling.

- Maroela Media

SAAF CASA 212 a write-off following a hard landing in Bloemfontein

The South African Air Force (SAAF) has to all intents and purposes lost a quarter of its medium transport capability following a hard landing by a CASA 212-300, which has been damaged beyond economical repair.

While not a major operator of the Spanish twin-engined transports, the SAAF’s 44 Squadron will continue using the remaining three for general transport, paratrooping and other duties. This is because of budget constraints that will in all probability minimise aircraft acquisition for a number of years to come.

The 212s, along with a now retired CASA/IPTN CN235, all came into the SAAF inventory following the advent of democracy. The aircraft were previously operated by the air wings of the then Bophuthatswana, Transkei and Venda. The CN235, now a static exhibit at the SAAF Museum, is number one of type.

The aircraft damaged in the Tempe hard landing earlier this month is believed to have suffered wing and engine damage and according to unofficial sources is category 5 (beyond economical repair). According to SAAF spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Maseko the investigation team has not yet released its preliminary report and it is too soon to speculate on the fate of the aircraft.

Apparently the aircraft experienced a technical malfunction, which resulted in the hard landing, but this cannot be confirmed at this stage.

Meanwhile, Airbus Military is moving its C212 production facility in Spain to Indonesia, after 40 years of continuous production of the aircraft, one of the Mediterranean country’s best known aerospace products. The new version of this durable transport, renamed NC212, will be produced jointly by PT Dirgantara Indonesia and Airbus, and assembled in Bandung.

The Airbus final assembly line (FAL) in Seville will concentrate on production of the C295 and CN235 in transport and mission specific configurations as well as increasing activity on the A400M assembly line.

Since its maiden flight in 1971, 477 C212s have been built for 92 different operators. There are currently 290 C212s in service in 40 countries worldwide. Indonesia (70), the United States (37) and Spain (26) have the single largest fleets.

The final C212 to come off the Seville production line has gone into service with the Vietnam Marine Police.

- DefenceWeb

3 feared dead after plane wreckage found in Antarctica

The spokesman for a U.S. Antarctic program said 24-hour daylight this time of year is one plus for search efforts.

(CNN) -- Authorities found the wreckage of a plane that crashed days ago in Antarctica in a condition that suggested no one survived.

Searchers found the damaged plane, a Twin Otter aircraft carrying three people, close to the summit in Queen Alexandra Range, in Antarctica.

The plane "appears to have made a direct impact that was not survivable," Maritime New Zealand said Saturday.

The condition of the three Canadian crew members aboard the aircraft had been unknown since the the flight went missing Wednesday.

The plane was flying from the South Pole to an Italian base at Terra Nova Bay, Maritime New Zealand said.

The missing crew had a kit that included survival suits, mountain tents, and enough food and water for five days.

The aircraft was believed to have been flying at a height of 13,000 feet near the top of Mount Elizabeth, part of the rugged Queen Alexandra Range. It is a long distance from any bases in Antarctica.

- CNN

Three injured in helicopter crash

A hired helicopter crashed on the Grey Goose farm this morning after getting caught in the power cables between the electricity pylons.

Pilot, Francois Liebenberg, and two passengers, believed to be Mr Liebenberg’s brother and a close family friend, were rushed to Newcastle Mediclinic. When paramedics arrived on the scene all three men were conscious and aware, despite sustaining numerous injuries.

The chopper was on its way from the Grey Goose to the Newcastle airport to fuel up before heading to Villiers for a rally.

Wonda Wilson, who witnessed the incident, said she heard the chopper make contact with the pylons and saw the pilot lose control and crash to the ground when she looked out her window.

“As I ran to the chopper, I could smell the fuel and I was just praying that everyone was okay. When I called out to them, only the passengers answered and the pilot was unconscious. I managed to get the passengers out and called my workers who helped me get the pilot out through the front window, which had broken,” said Mrs Wilson.

“I know a lot about helicopters from my husband, who is a great pilot with lots of experience. He wasn’t here when this happened, and even though I knew how dangerous it was for me to run to the chopper, you don’t think of these things when you know someone needs your help.”

She concluded, “My husband, Alan, has since returned home and is assisting the police with their investigation. It was very lucky that the chopper did not have much fuel in it or it might have exploded.”

Chairman of the Newcastle Flying Club, Quentin Feirrera, said the most important thing to his organisation was the fact that all three people on board the chopper are now safe and sound.

“In flying, as in everything else, you have to keep your eyes open and be careful. In the flying environment, however, there is no room for error. These three men are very fortunate that they had the opportunity to walk away from their error. Earlier, we experienced a real tragedy when we lost three of our local farmers in a crash. Accidents do happen, but our thoughts and prayers of a quick recovery are with the men and their families,” he said.

The power lines affected will only be repaired after the incident is investigated.

- LookLocal

Eyewitness recounts chopper crash

A woman who witnessed today's helicopter crash outside Newcastle says the Robinson 44 came down after hitting a power line.

Wonda Wilson has been speaking to Newswatch following the incident in which three men were hurt.

Moments after the crash, which took place about 100metres from her game lodge, she raced to the scene.

"I managed to get the passengers out. Luckily there was no fire. I did smell the fuel, so my first priority was to get them out as soon as possible.

"I got the two guys out and they were in a lot of pain. They had backache and one hurt his shoulder. I couldn't get the pilot out as he was unconscious for a while.

"I called some of my farm workers and they managed to help me and we pulled the pilot out from the front window," she said.

Wilson says the chopper had just taken off, when she saw it clip a power line.

Wilson's husband, Allen, is a commercial helicopter pilot and she says that power cables are very often a hazard.

"For pilots it is extremely difficult to see the power lines, it's just very dangerous. They are so well camouflaged if you are up in the air.

"That power line actually dragged behind the helicopter and that's what caused him to lose control."

The pilot, his brother and a friend were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Wilson has praised emergency teams for their rapid response.

- East Coast Radio News

Three survive helicopter crash

Three people have been hurt after a helicopter crashed on a farm just outside Newcastle, in Northern KZN at around 11am this morning.

Emergency services say the pilot together with his two passengers have miraculously suffered only minor injuries and were able to climb out of the wreckage.

Officials say at this point it is unclear what caused the crash although there's speculation the Robinson-44 may've struck a power line. This has not been confirmed though.

Netcare911's Chris Botha says the three men are being checked out in hospital.

"The helicopter ... sustained very severe damage. The patients were treated and transported through to a local hospital.

"The [crash scene] will now be investigated by the Civil Aviation Authorities and the local SAP is on scene to start the investigations," he said.

- East Coast Radio News

Image: Helicopter crash earlier today Hibberdene

Paul - Durban Fire

Pilot survives helicopter crash

A helicopter pilot is lucky to be alive after the aircraft he was flying crashed near Hibberdene on the South Coast.

Emergency services say the man suffered minor injuries and was able to climb out of the wreckage himself - before it burnt out.

KwaZulu Private Ambulance paramedics say they received the call a little over an hour ago.

Spokesperson Belinda Catchpole says the pilot was alone when it crashed on a sugar cane farm outside the seaside town - not far from the local clinic.

"The scene was quite far down on one of the farms, so we couldn't drive there in the ambulance, we had to walk down through the sugarcane - and the helicopter was in flames at the time," she said.

The pilot has been taken to hospital.

- East Coast Radio News

Lugmag-vliegtuig land hard op Tempe

Die Casa 212 van die lugmag lê skuins langs die aanloopbaan van die Tempe-lughawe nadat dit hard gelandi het. Foto:Charl Devenish

'n LUGMAG-VLIEGTUIG het gisteroggend ’n harde landing op die Tempe-lughawe in Bloemfontein gehad en op die sy en linkervlerk in die gras langs die aanloopbaan tot stilstand gekom.

Die vyf bemanningslede aan boord van die Casa 212-vliegtuig is ongedeerd.

Lt.kol. Ronald Maseko, lugmag-woordvoerder, het gesê die vliegtuig het deelgeneem aan ’n oefening vir valskermsoldate.

Rufus Botha, wat sowat 500 meter van die lughawe af bly, sê die vliegtuig het met ’n harde slag geland.

“Dit het amper geklink soos ’n vragmotorband wat bars. Dit was ’n ongelooflike ontploffing. Die vliegtuig het na die linkerkant oorgeval en nie lank daarna nie, toe kom ouens uit die vliegtuig gestorm, so asof hulle gedink het dit gaan ontplof.”

Maseko sê ’n ondersoekspan is reeds van Pretoria na Bloemfontein gestuur om die ongeluk te ondersoek.

*** Einde verlede jaar was twee vliegtuie van die lugmag ook in vliegongelukke betrokke en 11 lugmaglede het hul lewe verloor.

’n C47TP-Dakota het op 5 Desember in gure weer by Giant’s Castle in die Drakensberge neergestort en die lewe van 11 lugmaglede geëis.

Nog ’n Dakota het byna ’n maand vroeër van ’n aanloopbaan by Mthatha geloop.

Nie een van die 16 passasiers of die bemanning is beseer nie.

- Volksblad

South African Air Force Casa212 Aircraft involved in hard landing incident.

On Thursday, 17 January 2013 at approximately 10h30, a South African Air Force CASA 212 aircraft was involved in a hard landing incident while coming in to land at the Tempe Airfield in Bloemfontein. There were 5 crew members on board the aircraft. An Emergency Medical Team was despatched to the scene and no injuries were reported.

The aircraft was participating in a scheduled para-trooping exercise. A preliminary investigation has since been established to investigate the cause of the incident.

ENDS

Issued by: Department of Defence
(SAAF Corporate Communication)

Dodelike vliegramp buite Malmesbury

- DieBurgerWeb

Paraglider dies in Bantry Bay

A man in his 40′s has been killed after he crashed into the perimeter wall of a house on Alexandra street in Bantry Bay this afternoon while he was paragliding.

The neighbours called the paramedics, who arrived on the scene to find the man lying on the pavement. His equipment was still attached to him and paramedics quickly cut him free and started resuscitation efforts.

Sadly, the man’s injuries were too severe and there was nothing more that could be done to save his life and he was later declared dead.

The details surrounding the incident are not yet known and will be investigated by local authorities.

- ER24

Two dead in Western Cape plane crash

The two occupants of light aircraft have been killed after their plane went down earlier this morning while coming in to land at a private airfield near Klipheuwel in the Western Cape.

Paramedics and rescuers were called to the incident which happened near the R304 where the aircraft had crash landed and had caught alight. Sadly, when the rescuers arrived there was nothing more that could be done for the two occupants as their remains were badly burnt. The two were declared dead at the scene.

The full details of the cause of the crash and as to what exactly took place this morning leaving two men deceased is currently under investigation by the local authorities.

- ER24

Microlight crash near Hazeyview (6 January 2013)

At 12h23 SAWDOS was informed by Halo Aviation that the team are Airborne to a microlight crash in the Hazyview area.

13h39 - Wreckage located by Mpu DoH EMS Heli #HALO 2 in Hazyview microlight crash. Pilot being treated by flight crew.

13h41 - Mpumalanga DoH EMS chopper on scene Hazyview aircraft crash.

13h44 - Aircraft accident - Scene is 5Nm west of Sabie (Lone Creek area). Husband and wife both stable.

13h53 - 1 Patient from aircraft accident being airlifted to a local hospital.

14h00 - 2 people on board, 1 patient airlifted to hospital. SACAA investigating accident.

Mpumalanga DoH EMS Chopper #HALO 2 on the pad at Nelspruit Mediclinic.

A husband and wife were rescued by members of EMS and ER24 this morning after their microlight crashed into a Komatiland plantation near the Lone Creek Falls.

The accident occurred at around 11:00 this morning, and the pilot made a distress call soon after the crashlanding.

Helicopters from the the provincial EMS and from ER24 were despatched. The woman was airlifted to Mediclinic Nelspruit at around 14:00 and although she sustained back injuries, her condition is described as stable.

- Halo Aviation/Look Local

Two killed in Limpopo aircraft crash

LIMPOPO - Two people were killed in a light-aircraft crash in Limpopo when their plane allegedly went down shortly after takeoff on Tuesday.

The plane is believed to have taken off from the Phalaborwa airfield in the morning before it crashed and burst into flames.

Limpopo South African Police Service Colonel Ronel Otto said the two occupants were declared dead on scene.

“At this stage the cause of the accident will be investigated by the Civil Aviation Authority.”

- EWN