Gauteng

According to the copilot the aircraft flew below the clouds at about 300-500 ft above the ground. It was the pilot-in-command's intention to fly through the Katberg Pass below cloud and as the aircraft approached the mountains the cloud ceiling became lower and the pilot was faced with a critical situation. He called for METO (maximum except takeoff) power and in an attempt to clear the hills the right wing first made contact with the trees and then the right engine propeller cut into the rising ground. The aircraft came to rest against a rock face approximately 250 yd from the initial point of impact with the trees and approximately 500 ft from the top of the hill. Two crew members were killed while five other occupants were injured.

The aircraft was temporarily based at the Jan Smuts Airport where the manufacturers were conducting experimental flights which included measured takeoff s and landings. The data had to be obtained for incorporation in the Aircraft Flight Manual to be associated with the certification for public transport operation. The aircraft was being operated in the special categories Research or Experimental and Demonstration. The captain was cleared to use runway 03, the main instrument runway, and took off at 1040 hours on an experimental flight. After completing a circuit, the captain was cleared to land back on runway 03. He approached the runway, holding at 300 - 400 feet until he passed over the threshold. At this point the angle of descent increased to about 45°. The descent continued until the aircraft was about 70 feet above the surface of the runway where it leveled out, but the path of descent appeared to remain fixed at about 45° until touchdown where upon the main bogies appeared to move rearwards and inwards with the starboard side moving rearwards somewhat further than the port side. After this the aircraft bounced a few feet before settling down further along the runway. At this stage heavy smoke was emitted from both bogies as the aircraft continued forward. It finally swung to the right and off the runway and came to rest on a heading of 180° M at a point approximately 1,590 yards from the threshold. No one was killed or injured, but the aircraft was substantially damaged.

Crashed in unknown circumstances at Rand Airport, Jo'burg. There were no injuries but the aircraft came to rest in a field and was damaged beyond repair.

Crashed in unknown circumstances at Rand Airport. Both pilots were rescued and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The aircraft with two commercial licensed pilots as sole occupants took off from Baragwanath Airfield for the purpose of pilot familiarization on with the aircraft. After a short period of single-engined flying with the star board propeller feathered, two landings and take-offs were performed successfully. During the approach for the third landing with the landing gear extended and locked and with flaps in the 60° position, a noise was heard on the port side. The pilots associated the noise with the undercarriage and decided to go round again with 85 - 90 mph IS, the throttles were opened with the propellers set in fine pitch. There was no response from the port engine. Height was being lost so the undercarriage lever was placed in the up position and the port propeller feathered. The ASI fellt to 70 - 80 mph. The flaps were raised to 20° and the aircraft sank and yawed to the left. Shortly after clearing some trees, the aircraft stalled and struck the ground with the starboard engine under full power.
Photos:
http://www.dehavilland.co.za/DH104_Dove_cn_04087.htm

On landing, an undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and hit a drainage ditch. All 15 occupants were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Few minutes after takeoff from Swartkop AFB, in the suburb of Pretoria, the crew noticed fuel streaming from the port fuel tank. The aircraft caught fire, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing in an open field. The aircraft came to rest in flames and while all four crew members escaped uninjured, the aircraft was partially destroyed by fire (center section, port engine, port fuselage and port elevator).
Crew:
Cpt W. L. Chiazzari,
Cpl F. O. Burger,
Cpl J. L. du Toit,
Cpl P. Harrall.
Source: http://www.dc-3.co.za

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Waterkloof AFB while performing a training sortie. A crew member was killed.

The crew was performing a training flight from Roberts Heights Airport in Pretoria when the single engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in Muldersdrift, Gauteng. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were injured.

Shortly after takeoff, the engine n°1 & 3 failed. The crew attempted to make an emergency landing when, after touchdown, the airplane veered off runway and came to rest, bursting into flames. All occupants were evacuated while the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire. A female passenger died few days later from injuries sustained.