Region
Africa

Crash of a De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth in Johannesburg: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 29, 1936
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth
Operator:
Godfrey C. Dalton
Registration:
ZS-ADV
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Johannesburg - Johannesburg
Location:
Johannesburg-Rand
Gauteng
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The aircraft named 'Skylark' departed Johannesburg-Rand Airport on a local flight, carrying one instructor and one student pilot. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the instructor suffered a heart attack. The student pilot took over control and completed several circuits over the airport for about 35 minutes before attempting to land. The airplane crash landed in Rosherville, about 3 km northwest of the airport. The student pilot was uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Emergency landing after the pilot-in-command suffered a heart attack shortly after takeoff.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth in Du Toitskloof: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1936
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth
Operator:
Registration:
ZS-AFG
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Johannesburg – Cape Town
MSN:
2177
YOM:
1931
Location:
Du Toitskloof
Western Cape
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While flying over mountainous terrain east of Paarl, the single engine aircraft a mountain slope located in Du Toitskloof, some 70 km east of Cape Town. Both occupants J. F. Buchan and K. Leigh were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth in Johannesburg

Date & Time: Nov 29, 1935
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Rand Flying Club
Registration:
ZS-ABI
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Johannesburg - Johannesburg
MSN:
1124
YOM:
1929
Location:
Johannesburg-Rand
Gauteng
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Johannesburg-Rand Airport on a local solo flight. The single engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth in Durban

Date & Time: Nov 2, 1935
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth
Operator:
Durban Light Plane Club
Registration:
ZS-ADT
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Durban - Durban
MSN:
2115
YOM:
1930
Location:
Durban
KwaZulu-Natal
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Durban-Stamford Hill Airport on a local solo flight. For unknown reasons, the airplane crashed upon takeoff and was damaged beyond repair. The pilot escaped with minor injuries.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth in Baragwanath

Date & Time: Apr 7, 1935
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth
Operator:
Registration:
ZS-AFN
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Baragwanath - Baragwanath
MSN:
7057
YOM:
1934
Location:
Baragwanath
Gauteng
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
At lift off, the engine failed. The airplane crash landed and was damaged beyond repair. The pilot, sole on board, was injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure at takeoff.

Crash of a Junkers W.34fi in Eshowe: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 14, 1933
Type of aircraft:
Junkers W.34
Operator:
Registration:
ZS-AEB
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Durban – Johannesburg
MSN:
2735
YOM:
1933
Location:
Eshowe
KwaZulu-Natal
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
En route from Durban to Johannesburg, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with poor visibility due to fog. Too low, the airplane impacted the slope of a hill and was destroyed. A passenger was critically injured and all five other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Spartan Three Seater I off Cape Town

Date & Time: Dec 4, 1933
Type of aircraft:
Spartan Three Seater I/II
Operator:
Aero Services - South Africa
Registration:
ZS-ADP
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
60
YOM:
1931
Location:
Cape Town
Western Cape
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Germiston on a taxi flight with two passengers and one pilot on board. In unknown circumstances, it crashed into the sea off Cape Town. All three occupants were rescued.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon I in Baragwanath: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1933
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.84 Dragon
Operator:
Aircraft Operating Company
Registration:
ZS-AEF
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
6026
YOM:
1933
Location:
Baragwanath
Gauteng
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to a height of 250 feet, the aircraft stalled and crashed. Both occupants were killed.
Crew:
William John Charles Kennedy-Cochran-Patrick.
Passenger:
Sir Michael Oppenheimer.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth in Bethlehem

Date & Time: Mar 22, 1933
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
ZS-ABJ
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Durban - Basutoland
MSN:
1125
YOM:
1929
Location:
Bethlehem
Free State
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Durban on a taxi flight to Basutoland. En route, the pilot encountered engine problems and made an precautionary landing in an open field located in Bethlehem. After takeoff, control was lost and the airplane crashed in a pasture. Both occupants were rescued and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
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