What happened
A charter flight traveling from Bloemfontein to Johannesburg crashed in an open field in Hennenman, situated approximately 25 km east of Welkom. The twin engine airplane was transporting a group of trainers and jockeys when the captain issued an emergency declaration at 9,000 feet due to a fire inside the cabin. Following instructions to return to Bloemfontein Airport, the crew initiated an emergency descent. During this maneuver, the aircraft entered a steep 45-degree nose-down dive and struck the ground. The impact caused the airframe to disintegrate, resulting in 24 fatalities with no survivors.
Findings
Investigations revealed that a high-intensity fire originated beneath the cabin floor, positioned just aft of the cockpit. This fire developed roughly two and a half minutes before the crash. While maintenance records were found to be compliant with all regulations and no mechanical malfunctions were initially identified, it is believed the fire may have been triggered by the failure of a fuel booster pump associated with the right engine. Ultimately, the pilot lost control of the aircraft after being incapacitated by the inhalation of smoke and fumes.