Eastern Cape

On final approach to Kei Mouth Airport in the Eastern Cape Province, the single engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. While both occupants were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The crew was completing a positioning flight from Swartkop AFB.

The private pilot was accompanied by his wife and his two daughters on a flight from Port Elizabeth to his farm in the Cradock district. On arrival at Cradock, the pilot apparently over-flew the runway for inspection and was on the downwind leg when the aircraft started to roll and yaw to the left. All engine indications were normal and the pilot had to decrease power on the right-hand engine in order to maintain control of the aircraft. With the reduction in power of the right-hand engine, the pilot was unable to maintain height and executed a forced landing on an open field. The aircraft was extensively damaged during the forced landing but no injuries were sustained. An on-site investigation was carried out on 24 December 2000 after which the aircraft was recovered to Lanseria aerodrome for further inspection. On inspection of the Left-hand propeller it was noted that the carbon block of the low pitch proximity sensor, which normally runs inside the Low-Pitch stop collar, was bent down at an angle, which would have rendered the secondary Low-Pitch stop inoperative. Due to the fact that the aircraft sustained damage to it's electronic circuitry it was not possible to verify the proper operation of the propeller pitch control system.

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.

On 13th March 1967 Vickers Viscount aircraft ZS-CVA, "Rietbok", was on a scheduled public transport flight No. SA 406 from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg via East London and Bloemfontein. Its Estimated Time of Arrival at East London was 1714 GMT, but the weather there was poor. The captain had indicated that he would probably overfly East London, but that he would have a look at conditions there before deciding to do so. The last communication from the aircraft was when it notified East London Airport Control that it was "at 2,000 ft. with the coastline in sight". It is estimated that the aircraft was then between 20 and 15 nautical miles from the Airport and that the time was approximately 1709 GMT. At 1710.08 GMT the aircraft crashed into the sea. The approximate position of the crash was 33°13.45’ S. , 27°38.3’ E. On board were Captain Gordon Benjamin Lipawsky, First Officer Brian Albert Richard Trenwith, 3 cabin crew and 20 passengers. Air-sea rescue operations were put in hand promptly, but there were no survivors. Bits of floating wreckage, consisting mainly of cabin interior fittings, were recovered by naval vessels and other pieces were washed ashore. The main wreckage of the aircraft is believed to he lying at a depth of between 180 and 220 feet, approximately 1½ miles off-shore. Extensive salvage operations were attempted, but were hindered by murky water, a current up to 8 kts and dangerous sea conditions. The aircraft was lost and all 25 occupants were killed.

Crashed in unknown circumstances at Bizana, killing all five crew members.

The crew departed East London-Collondale AFB on an aerial photography mission in formation with a second SAAF Anson registered 3164. In unknown circumstances, both aircraft collided in flight. While the pilot of the 3164 was able to perform an emergency landing at Collondale AFB, the second Anson registered 1212 entered a dive and crashed in a field located 1,5 mile southwest of the airbase, bursting into flames. All five crew members were killed.
Crew (41st Squadron):
P/O D. I. Fraser, pilot,
2nd Lt C. P. Davis, copilot,
LAC E. Portnell, observer,
LAC T. E. D. Tighe, observer,
LAC J. D. Schenfield, observer.

The pilot and his passengers were performing a local flight over the sea off East London. While flying around the hospital ship named 'Gloucester Castle', the single engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea. The pilot was rescued and both passengers were killed.
Crew:
R. A. K. Pohl, pilot.
Passengers:
Jack Dewar, †
G. J. LeGrange. †

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Steynsburg. The pilot, sole on board, was injured.

Crashed in unknown circumstances, injuring both occupants.