C47 missing over Berg

An Airforce C47 (Dakota) is reported missing over the Berg - apparently flying at 11 000 feet near Giant's Castle in instrument conditions. 11 000 feet isn't much margin. The plane was flying from Waterkloof to Mthatha.

I found this on the flyafrica.info website

A search and rescue mission is underway for a missing South African Air Force Dakota transport aircraft.

The C-47TP aircraft of 35 Squadron was flying from AFB Waterkloof near Pretoria to Mthatha in the Eastern Cape when it encountered severe weather conditions this morning. Unconfirmed reports state that the aircraft last communicated with Air Traffic Control when above Giants Castle in the Drakensburg mountains, 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.

An Oryx helicopter was tasked to search for the missing aircraft, but had to abandon the search due to the very bad weather in the area.

A SANDF spokesperson confirmed that the SANDF was aware that an aircraft may be missing and that a media release would be issued as soon as further information was available.

Just under a month ago, on 7 November, another C-47TP Dakota of 35 Squadron was involved in a landing accident at Mthatha Airport, when it bounced on landing and left the runway. Damage included a torn-off main undercarriage, bent propeller and damaged engine and wing. Fortunately, none of the 16 passengers on board was injured.

It is not known how many people were on board the missing aircraft.

Only hope that is all ok.

www.iol.co.za/news/politics/no-survivors-found-in-plane-crash-1.1436617

They dont mention the specific location "in Giants Castle" where the wreckage was found.

Got a brief look at the crash site on E news - that looks like Litseketseke-Redi ridge, but I'm not 100% sure, there weren't any giveaway peaks in view.

Very sad for the family and also for the colleagues of the crew our condolences go out to all of them. Even in this day of modern navigation and avionics, the weather over the berg can be a problem. Unless there was a technical problem with the aircraft and they were forced to attempt a landing. I am sure it will all come out in the investigation.

Thanks Ian - that is much more clear:



The 2 peaks in that photo are Redi and Tarateng, the rocky bit is the top of KaMashilenga Pass (excuse the spelling). So that makes the crash ridge the Giant's Castle/Lotheni ridge.

It looks to me like they tried to land the Dak. The fuselage and tail is in tact - wings ripped off though. The ceiling is roughly 11500 feet as the Dak is not pressurised - marginal for Berg top crossings. In bad weather, there may have been lots of icing, making the aircraft hard to fly.