Warbird Information Exchange

A massive air and land search has been launched for two missing privately owned Albatross maritime patrol aircraft, which disappeared in thick fog while returning from a Limpopo air show to Rand Airport. The two aircraft, which had been taking part in the Tzaneen Air Show, disappeared soon after take-off on Sunday morning.

The alarm was raised after they failed to arrive on schedule at the Rand Airport in Germiston, and communications with pilots could not be made.

Air force sources on Sunday night confirmed that an Oryx helicopter and a Caravan light transport aeroplane would be dispatched to join the civilian search in the Wolkberg mountains, outside Tzaneen, on Monday.


By Sunday night it was not known how many passengers were on board the aircraft when they took off or exactly where in the mountain range they could have disappeared.

Apparent sightings by farmers and local residents are believed to be directing the search.

Johnny Smit, head of the South African Aeronautical Search and Rescue Centre, said on Sunday night: “After we received notification that the aircraft were missing, the aeronautical rescue co-ordination centre at OR Tambo International Airport was immediately alerted and a search and rescue mission activated.

“An air search involving privately owned helicopters and aeroplanes was launched along with a ground search in the eastern section of the Wolkberg.

“The air search was called off after sundown, but the foot search is continuing throughout the night. The air search will be conducted with privately owned aircraft and two SA Air Force aircraft at first light tomorrow (Monday).

“All that we have to go on at the moment is the little bit of information received from farmers and locals on where the two planes, which apparently disappeared in thick fog, could be. We are, however, hopeful about finding the aircraft,” he said, adding that the planes were former SA Air Force maritime patrol aircraft. - Pretoria News

Are you sure they are Albatross amphibians and not ex-SAAF Piaggio P166 Albatross? You may wish to change the subject header if so?

Are you sure they are Albatross amphibians and not ex-SAAF Piaggio P166 Albatross? You may wish to change the subject header if so?





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Identical message but with some underscoring already posted 11:41, 15th August.

More seriously, and without in any way speculating on the cause of this terrible accident, it reminds me of another South African tragedy involving three SAAF HS-125 jets when they all flew into Devils Peak, Table Mountain in formation in cloud with the loss of eleven lives. This was just over 30 years ago on 26th May 1971.

Identical message but with some underscoring already posted 11:41, 15th August.

This was just over 30 years ago on 26th May 1971.

Or just over 40 years ago, even.