Accident Summary
On a scheduled flight from Jan Smuts Airport to Belvedere Airport, Salisbury, under VFR conditions, the aircraft departed at 1115LT with 23 passengers and a crew of 5. At 1427LT, while on final approach to runway 27 from the east during a thunderstorm, the undercarriage struck the ground a short distance to the north and east of the runway threshold. The impact caused the starboard tire to burst, the starboard undercarriage leg to break, and severe damage to the starboard propeller engine.
Attempted Overshoot and Landing
The pilot attempted an overshoot procedure, but the starboard engine and propeller could not deliver power, and the aircraft's speed was below the minimum required for effective control. Consequently, the pilot was obliged to make a crash landing. No one was injured, but the aircraft sustained extensive damage.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the accident was not caused by mechanical defect of the aircraft nor by the conduct of the pilot, but by a combination of unusual and unexpected circumstances. It was noted that had the sudden downpour of rain not occurred at the critical moment, it is almost certain that no accident would have happened.