Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain crash, Apr 2, 2000 (2 killed)
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain accident on April 2, 2000 near Manzini-Matsapha, Swaziland with 2 fatalities. Cause: Not determined; reported engine...
- Date: April 2, 2000
- Aircraft: Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
- Location: Manzini-Matsapha, Swaziland
- Fatalities: 2
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: Not determined; reported engine maintenance deficiencies and a non-compliant turbocharger are cited as factors.
A Foster Webb Air Charter Piper Navajo Chieftain cargo flight took off from Manzini-Matsapha at night and struck power cables before crashing. The captain survived, while the copilot and a company mechanic on board were killed. Reports point to a non-compliant turbocharger, poor engine maintenance and a forged pilot licence, but the full sequence is not documented in the sources reviewed.