• Aircraft:

  Douglas C-47TP Turbo-Dakota

• Reg: 6840 photos
• Serial #:

  13866/25311

• Airline: South Africa - Air Force
• Photo Date: Sep 18, 2012
• Uploaded: Dec 13, 2012
• Swartkop Air Base - FASK, South Africa

Unfortunately this beautiful bird crashed Dec 5. I saw it doing quite a great performance, including some low pass parallel flying on the Waterkloof Air Show. It was reported missing en route from Waterkloof Air Base to Mthatha Airport (UTT). The airplane, belonging to the South African Air Force's 35 Squadron 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. I kinda relate to what they might have felt in the last instants due to my experience with a DC-4 under severe weather and hail. It is not pretty. May they Rest in Peace...

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