Incident
While cruising at an altitude of 13,000 feet on a flight from Durban to Bulawayo, the flight crew informed air traffic control about smoke spreading in the cockpit. ATC cleared the crew to reduce altitude. During descent at low altitude, the pilots opened the cockpit windows to allow the smoke to evacuate and decided to make an emergency landing at Vaalwater Aerodrome.
Emergency Landing
Vaalwater Aerodrome features a grassy runway measuring 780 metres in length and 10 metres in width. After touchdown, the aircraft struck a tree located on the left side of the runway. The impact caused the aircraft to cartwheel, during which it lost a landing gear before coming to rest.
Outcome
All four occupants escaped the aircraft uninjured. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, the smoke that spread in the cockpit originated from behind the captain's seat as a result of a short circuit in the electrical system supplying the weather radar.