Airlink Flight 8911
Encyclopedia
Airlink Flight 8911 was a positioning flight from Durban International Airport
to Pietermaritzburg Airport
that crashed into the grounds of Merebank Secondary School shortly after takeoff at around 8:00 a.m. local time (06:00 UTC) on September 24, 2009, injuring the three occupants of the aircraft and one on the ground. The captain of the flight subsequently died of his injuries on October 7, 2009.
to Pietermaritzburg
, carrying no passengers. Three crew members were aboard: captain Alistair Freeman, first officer Sonja Bierman and flight attendant Rodelle Oosthuizen.
The aircraft, a BAe Jetstream 41 with registration ZS-NRM, had only flown 50 hours since its last service. The aircraft had been diverted to Durban from Pietermaritzburg the previous evening due to bad weather.
. Shortly after takeoff, the crew reported loss of engine power and smoke from the rear of the aircraft, and declared an emergency. Witnesses reported the aircraft flying at an unusually low altitude, and that the pilot was attempting to ditch the aircraft in vacant land surrounding Merebank Secondary School approximately 400 metres (437.4 yd) from the threshold of Runway 24 at Durban International Airport
. The school was closed due to the accident day being Heritage Day
, a public holiday. The pilot ditched the aircraft on the sports field of the school, avoiding hitting nearby residential properties; the aircraft broke into three pieces on impact.
. The captain was airlifted to St. Augustine's Hospital at 11:00 a.m. local time (09:00 UTC) in a critical condition; the critically injured first officer and seriously injured flight attendant were taken to other nearby hospitals. A street cleaner on the school's perimeter was struck by the plane and was taken to hospital. The captain died of his injuries on 7 October 2009.
(CAA) were dispatched to the crash scene; the CAA will conduct an on-site investigation to determine the possible cause of the crash. The flight data recorder
and cockpit voice recorder
were retrieved and will be used in the investigation. British Aerospace
, the manufacturer of the aircraft, has dispatched a team of technical experts to assist in the investigation should they be required by the CAA.
Although early media reports hinted at an early release of the preliminary report, Airlink
have stated that "the investigation is still going to take some time before any form of preliminary findings could be made available".
On October 9, 2009, the CAA issued a press release requesting the public's assistance in finding a bearing cap from one of the engines. The cap, which possibly separated from the engine during takeoff, could not be found at the crash site or at the airport.
On December 23, 2009, the CAA issued the following press release : "In the case of the FADN (Merebank) accident the initial cause appears to be that of an engine failure during take-off which finally resulted in an accident when the human factor involvement resulted in the wrong engine being shut down. This type of engine failure has occurred previously and the cause is known to the manufacturer."
Durban International Airport
Durban International Airport was the international airport of Durban from 1951 until 2010, when it was replaced by King Shaka International Airport, to the north. The airport is co-located with AFB Durban.-History:...
to Pietermaritzburg Airport
Pietermaritzburg Airport
Pietermaritzburg Airport is an airport, also known as ORIBI Airport, in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa .- Navigational Aids :-Notes:The airport has Pilot Controlled night landing facilities...
that crashed into the grounds of Merebank Secondary School shortly after takeoff at around 8:00 a.m. local time (06:00 UTC) on September 24, 2009, injuring the three occupants of the aircraft and one on the ground. The captain of the flight subsequently died of his injuries on October 7, 2009.
Flight
The flight was a positioning flight (ferry flight) from DurbanDurban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
to Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg is the capital and second largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was founded in 1838, and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality. Its "purist" Zulu name is umGungundlovu, and this is the name used for the district municipality...
, carrying no passengers. Three crew members were aboard: captain Alistair Freeman, first officer Sonja Bierman and flight attendant Rodelle Oosthuizen.
The aircraft, a BAe Jetstream 41 with registration ZS-NRM, had only flown 50 hours since its last service. The aircraft had been diverted to Durban from Pietermaritzburg the previous evening due to bad weather.
Crash
At around 8:00 a.m. local time (06:00 UTC) on September 24, 2009, the flight departed Durban International AirportDurban International Airport
Durban International Airport was the international airport of Durban from 1951 until 2010, when it was replaced by King Shaka International Airport, to the north. The airport is co-located with AFB Durban.-History:...
. Shortly after takeoff, the crew reported loss of engine power and smoke from the rear of the aircraft, and declared an emergency. Witnesses reported the aircraft flying at an unusually low altitude, and that the pilot was attempting to ditch the aircraft in vacant land surrounding Merebank Secondary School approximately 400 metres (437.4 yd) from the threshold of Runway 24 at Durban International Airport
Durban International Airport
Durban International Airport was the international airport of Durban from 1951 until 2010, when it was replaced by King Shaka International Airport, to the north. The airport is co-located with AFB Durban.-History:...
. The school was closed due to the accident day being Heritage Day
Heritage Day (South Africa)
Heritage Day, 24 September, is a Public Holiday on which South Africans across the spectrum are encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, in the wider context of a nation that belongs to all its people....
, a public holiday. The pilot ditched the aircraft on the sports field of the school, avoiding hitting nearby residential properties; the aircraft broke into three pieces on impact.
Rescue
Rescue workers arrived on the scene shortly after the crash and cut the three crew members out of the wreckage using hydraulic rescue toolsHydraulic Rescue Tools
Hydraulic rescue tools are used by emergency rescue personnel to assist vehicle extrication of crash victims, as well as other rescues from small spaces. These tools include cutters, spreaders, door busters and rams...
. The captain was airlifted to St. Augustine's Hospital at 11:00 a.m. local time (09:00 UTC) in a critical condition; the critically injured first officer and seriously injured flight attendant were taken to other nearby hospitals. A street cleaner on the school's perimeter was struck by the plane and was taken to hospital. The captain died of his injuries on 7 October 2009.
Investigation
Investigators from the South African Civil Aviation AuthoritySouth African Civil Aviation Authority
The South African Civil Aviation Authority is the South African national aviation authority, overseeing civil aviation and governing investigations of aviation accidents and incidents. It is headquartered in the Midrand community of Johannesburg.-External links:* *...
(CAA) were dispatched to the crash scene; the CAA will conduct an on-site investigation to determine the possible cause of the crash. The flight data recorder
Flight data recorder
A flight data recorder is an electronic device employed to record any instructions sent to any electronic systems on an aircraft. It is a device used to record specific aircraft performance parameters...
and cockpit voice recorder
Cockpit voice recorder
A cockpit voice recorder , often referred to as a "black box", is a flight recorder used to record the audio environment in the flight deck of an aircraft for the purpose of investigation of accidents and incidents...
were retrieved and will be used in the investigation. British Aerospace
British Aerospace
British Aerospace plc was a UK aircraft, munitions and defence-systems manufacturer. Its head office was in the Warwick House in the Farnborough Aerospace Centre in Farnborough, Hampshire...
, the manufacturer of the aircraft, has dispatched a team of technical experts to assist in the investigation should they be required by the CAA.
Although early media reports hinted at an early release of the preliminary report, Airlink
Airlink
Airlink is an airline based in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is privately owned and has developed into South Africa's first feeder network aimed at linking the smaller towns, regional centers and hubs throughout South Africa...
have stated that "the investigation is still going to take some time before any form of preliminary findings could be made available".
On October 9, 2009, the CAA issued a press release requesting the public's assistance in finding a bearing cap from one of the engines. The cap, which possibly separated from the engine during takeoff, could not be found at the crash site or at the airport.
On December 23, 2009, the CAA issued the following press release : "In the case of the FADN (Merebank) accident the initial cause appears to be that of an engine failure during take-off which finally resulted in an accident when the human factor involvement resulted in the wrong engine being shut down. This type of engine failure has occurred previously and the cause is known to the manufacturer."
See also
- AirlinkAirlinkAirlink is an airline based in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is privately owned and has developed into South Africa's first feeder network aimed at linking the smaller towns, regional centers and hubs throughout South Africa...
- Durban International AirportDurban International AirportDurban International Airport was the international airport of Durban from 1951 until 2010, when it was replaced by King Shaka International Airport, to the north. The airport is co-located with AFB Durban.-History:...
External links
- Final Accident Investigation Report by the South African Civil Aviation AuthoritySouth African Civil Aviation AuthorityThe South African Civil Aviation Authority is the South African national aviation authority, overseeing civil aviation and governing investigations of aviation accidents and incidents. It is headquartered in the Midrand community of Johannesburg.-External links:* *...
- News archive - Airlink - Has information about the incident
- Flight 8911 at the Aviation Safety Network