Country
code

South-East District

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 in Gaborone

Date & Time: Apr 6, 2009
Operator:
Registration:
A2-ATI
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kasane – Gaborone
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Gaborone-Seretse Khama Airport, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, flipped over and crashed, coming to rest upside down on the runway edge. All five occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed. The aircraft type is not confirmed.

Crash of a Beechcraft F90-1 King Air in Mamuno

Date & Time: Jan 21, 2009
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A2-AHV
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
LA-212
YOM:
1983
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Mamuno Airstrip, the pilot decided to initiate a go-around procedure. After the undercarriage were raised, the twin engine aircraft continued to descent and hit the runway surface. It slid for few dozen metres then veered off runway to the left and came to rest in a grassy area. The high engine temperature set the grass on fire and the aircraft was destroyed by fire. There were no injuries among the occupants.

Crash of an ATR42-320 in Gaborone: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1999 at 0743 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A2-ABB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Gaborone - Gaborone
MSN:
101
YOM:
1988
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
In the early morning, an Air Botswana captain boarded a parked ATR42 and took off without permission. While circling over the Gaborone-Seretse Khama Airport, the pilot contacted ATC and wanted to talk to several people, among them the company's President who was not available at this time. Negotiation started between the pilot and local authorities but after two hours, he decided to crash the aircraft on the apron where two others ATR42 of the same operator were parked. The aircraft crashed at a speed of 200 knots and exploded on impact. The pilot was killed and all three aircraft were destroyed. The two other ATR42 were registered A2-ABC and A2-AJD. There were no casualties on the ground as the airport was evacuated.
Probable cause:
The pilot committed suicide after being grounded by the operator until February 2000 because of medical reasons.

Crash of a Douglas DC-4 in Gaborone: 78 killed

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1974 at 0235 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A2-ZER
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Gaborone - Lilongwe
MSN:
27242
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
80
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
78
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Gaborone-Seretse Khama Airport, the crew encountered problems with all four engines that lost power and backfired. Unable to gain sufficient height, the aircraft struck tree tops, stalled and crashed in flames 3,600 meters past the runway end, two minutes after liftoff. A crew member and five passengers were rescued while 78 other occupants were killed. Most of the passengers were employees of South African Mining Company returning home.
Probable cause:
It was determined that all four engines lost power during initial climb due to fuel contamination. Investigations revealed that the aircraft was refueled with Avgas but confusion by ground personnel at Gaborone Airport caused Jet A1 to be transferred in an Avgas fuel tank. This caused the aircraft to be fueled with Avgas contaminated with 25-30% of Jet A1.