Waterkloof - Mthatha

On December 5, 2012 at 09:45 AM, Waterkloof - Mthatha experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by South African Air Force, with the event recorded near Mt Drakensberg KwaZulu-Natal.

The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was flight at a mountains crash site.

11 people were known to be on board, 11 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 6, crew fatalities: 6, passengers on board: 5, passenger fatalities: 5, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The aircraft departed Waterkloof AFB south of Pretoria around 0745LT on a flight to Mthatha. While cruising between 10,000 and 11,000 feet, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. in IMC conditions, the aircraft Giant's Castle in the Drakensberg Mountain Range and disintegrated on impact. The wreckage was found a day later and all 11 occupants were killed. The minimum safe altitude for the area was 13,800 feet. Crew: Major K. Misrole Captain Z.M. Smith Sergeant B.K. Baloyi Sergeant E. Boes Sergeant J.M. Mamabolo Corporal L. Mofokeng Passengers: Sergeant L. Sobantu Corporal N.W. Khomo Corporal A. Matlaila Corporal M.J. Mthomben Lance-corporal N.K. Aphane.

Aircraft reference details include registration 6840, MSN 13866/25311, year of manufacture 1944.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -28.6129°, 29.1269°.