Aero Modifications AMI C-47TP (DC-3T) – 6840

Incident Overview

Date: Wednesday 5 December 2012

Aircraft Type: Aero Modifications AMI C-47TP (DC-3T)

Owner/operator: South African Air Force – SAAF

Registration Number: 6840

Location: Giant’s Castle, Drakensbergen range – ÿ South Africa

Phase of Flight: En route

Status: Destroyed, written off

Casualties: Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 11

Component Affected: Aircraft Flight Plan, Flight Control Systems, Weather Radar, Air Traffic Control Communication.Aircraft Flight Plan, Flight Control Systems, Weather Radar, Air Traffic Control Communication.

Category: Accident

On October 26, 2023, a Douglas C-47TP turbine transport plane crashed near Giant’s Castle in the Drakensberg mountain range in South Africa, resulting in the deaths of all 11 crew members. The aircraft, belonging to the South African Air Force’s 35 Squadron, was operating a routine flight from Waterkloof Air Force Base to Mthatha. The flight plan, which utilized a standard route, was executed with a flight level of approximately 110, and the pilots deviated from the planned route, flying into the mountainous terrain near Giant’s Castle, approximately 13800 feet above sea level. Visibility was poor due to clouds and fog, and the pilots failed to adequately assess the terrain elevation relative to their altitude. The aircraft lacked a Ground Proximity Warning System, and the weather radar was not utilized. The last communication with Air Traffic Control occurred at 11,000 feet, and the aircraft was not directed towards Mthatha Airport. The wreckage was discovered in Giants Castle, KwaZulu-Natal, confirming the tragic loss of life.On October 26, 2023, a Douglas C-47TP turbine transport plane crashed near Giant’s Castle in the Drakensberg mountain range in South Africa, resulting in the deaths of all 11 crew members. The aircraft, belonging to the South African Air Force’s 35 Squadron, was operating a routine flight from Waterkloof Air Force Base to Mthatha. The flight plan, which utilized a standard route, was executed with a flight level of approximately 110, and the pilots deviated from the planned route, flying into the mountainous terrain near Giant’s Castle, approximately 13800 feet above sea level. Visibility was poor due to clouds and fog, and the pilots failed to adequately assess the terrain elevation relative to their altitude. The aircraft lacked a Ground Proximity Warning System, and the weather radar was not utilized. The last communication with Air Traffic Control occurred at 11,000 feet, and the aircraft was not directed towards Mthatha Airport. The wreckage was discovered in Giants Castle, KwaZulu-Natal, confirming the tragic loss of life.

Description

The Douglas C-47TP turbine transport plane was destroyed when it crashed near Giant’s Castle in the Drakensberg mountain range in South Africa. All 11 on board were killed. The aircraft belonged to the South African Air Force’s 35 Squadron and operated on a routine flight from Waterkloof Air Force Base to Mthatha. The normal route was to fly towards Ladysmith, then on to Estcourt at FL110 and then descend to FL100 and turn towards Kokstad and Mthatha. The pilots apparently turned on a bearing of about 210 degrees and flew into the mountains near Giant’s Castle, which is at some 13800 feet. Since no pre-flight briefing had taken place, it was not noticed that the flight plan contained too low an altitude for the surrounding terrain. Clouds and fog were present in the area, so the flight crew failed to observe the terrain elevation in relation to their altitude. Additionally, the aircraft was not equipped with a Ground Proximity Warning System. The on board weather radar included a mode showing weather as well as terrain, but was apparently not used. encountered severe weather conditions. Unconfirmed reports state that the aircraft last communicated with Air Traffic Control when above Giants Castle in the Drakensbergen mountain range, stating that they were at 11,000 feet and flying in Instrument Meteorological Conditions due to the bad visibility. The aircraft never arrived at Mthatha Airport. The wreckage was later found in Giants Castle in the Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal. Cause: The crew filed a flight plan with an incorrect flight level (FL) and routing. Contributing causes are given as the weather and lack of situational awareness among the aircrew. The inquiry further found the lack of an aircrew pre-flight briefing was a key issue and that unnecessary time pressure and insufficient flight planning also played a part. The aircrew did not adhere to standard checks and procedures and failed to do a proper risk assessment.

Source of Information

http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=49546&catid=35&Itemid=107, http://www.saairforce.co.za/news-and-events/1154/saaf-dakota-missing, http://www.flyafrica.info/forums/showthread.php?53720-SA-Air-Force-(SAAF)-Dakota-(-C-47TP-)-Down, http://www.dod.mil.za/media/media2012/dec/Media%20Release%20DAKOTA.pdfhttp://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=49546&catid=35&Itemid=107, http://www.saairforce.co.za/news-and-events/1154/saaf-dakota-missing, http://www.flyafrica.info/forums/showthread.php?53720-SA-Air-Force-(SAAF)-Dakota-(-C-47TP-)-Down, http://www.dod.mil.za/media/media2012/dec/Media%20Release%20DAKOTA.pdf

Primary Cause

Incorrect flight plan with an incorrect flight level (FL) and routing, combined with inadequate situational awareness and a lack of pre-flight briefing.Incorrect flight plan with an incorrect flight level (FL) and routing, combined with inadequate situational awareness and a lack of pre-flight briefing.

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