Zimbabwe | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after take off from Bulawayo, while in initial climb, the aircraft crashed for unknown reason. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was wrecked.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford II near Westacre Junction

Date & Time: Apr 24, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Airspeed AS.10 Oxford

Operator:

Registration:

R5997

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Bulawayo - Bulawayo

Location:

Country:

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Circumstances:

Both pilots were engaged in a training flight on behalf of the 21st Army Training School. En route, the twin engine aircraft collided with birds that hit the right wing and the right engine. The crew was forced to reduce his altitude and to attempt an emergency landing in an open field. On touch down, the aircraft lost its undercarriage and slid for several yards before coming to rest. Both crew escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Bird strike.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.90 Dragonfly in Gwelo

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1938

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.90 Dragonfly

Operator:

Registration:

VP-YAX

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Blantyre – Lilongwe – Fort Jameson

MSN:

7512

YOM:

1936

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances. Occupant fate unknown.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.90 Dragonfly in Selukwe: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1938

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.90 Dragonfly

Operator:

Registration:

VP-YBB

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

7520

YOM:

1936

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Selukwe, killing all five occupants.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.6B Envoy II near Beitbridge: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1938

Type of aircraft:

Airspeed AS.6 Envoy

Operator:

Registration:

256

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Salisbury - Pretoria

MSN:

YOM:

1935

Location:

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Circumstances:

En route from Salisbury to Pretoria, while cruising over South Rhodesia, weather conditions deteriorated and the visibility was poor due to thick clouds. The crew lost control of the airplane that crashed 30 km north of the Limpopo River, northwest of Beitbridge. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed. The four passengers were members of the SAAF Boxing Team flying back to Pretoria (Roberts Heights) after taking part to a competition in Salisbury.
Crew:
Cpt A. C. Koch, pilot,
P/O Rodney Moseby, copilot.
Passengers:
Sgt Marais Pierre le Roux,
Cpl Raymond Boxshall,
AC1 Robert Pring,
Patrick Bowden Peters.

Crash of a Lockheed 9A Orion Special in Victoria Falls: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1932

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed 9 Orion

Operator:

Registration:

NC12229

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cinematography

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

187

YOM:

1931

Location:

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Circumstances:

The airplane was engaged in an aerial cinematography flight on behalf of the MGM Studios. The pilot Arthur Dickson was piloting and both passengers were the MGM's President Arthur Loew and his lawyer. For unknown reasons, the pilot mistakenly landed at Victoria Falls Airport instead of Livingstone. While trying to take off from a soft sandy field, the airplane overturned and crashed into trees. Both passengers were injured and the pilot was killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60X Moth in Bulawayo: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 20, 1931

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Registration:

VP-YAB

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

452

YOM:

1928

Location:

Bulawayo

Country:

Zimbabwe

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Bulawayo Airport, the single engine airplane went out of control and crashed, killing both occupants.
Crew:
Lt Daniel S. Judson, pilot.
Passenger:
Jock Speight.

Crash of a Vickers FB.27 Vimy Commercial in Bulawayo

Date & Time: Mar 6, 1920

Type of aircraft:

Vickers FB.27 Vimy Commercial

Operator:

Registration:

F8615

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Wadi Halfa – Bulawayo – Cape Town

Location:

Bulawayo

Country:

Zimbabwe

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

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Pax on board:

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Circumstances:

On approach to Bulawayo, Matabeleland, the crew encountered problems and the aircraft crashed. Both occupants, engaged in a cross country flight to Cape Town, South Africa, were injured and the aircraft named 'Silver Queen II' was destroyed.
Crew:
Lt Col Pierre van Ryneveld,
Lt Christopher Joseph Quintin-Brand.