Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) crash, Dec 5, 2012 (11 killed)
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident on December 5, 2012 near Mt Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa with 11 fatalities. Cause: Human error: an...
- Date: December 5, 2012
- Aircraft: Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
- Location: Mt Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Fatalities: 11
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: Human error: an incorrect flight level and route in the flight plan, no proper aircrew briefing, poor situational awareness, unnecessary time pressure and failure to follow checks and risk assessment. The board of inquiry found the crash avoidable.
A South African Air Force C-47TP flew from Waterkloof to Mthatha at about 10,000 to 11,000 ft in poor weather. It was in cloud and struck the Drakensberg mountains near Giant's Castle, which were well above its route altitude, and broke up on impact. All 11 people on board were killed.