MY PASSENGERS AND I got safely out and away from the burning aircraft, and we only stopped running when we thought we would be safe from any explosions. Maybe we had watched too many movies.
As I looked back at the burning aircraft, I noticed that the people from Miseleni village were swarming towards the wreck, attracted by all the noise and strangers ‘dropping in’. We were a safe distance away, but they wouldn’t be if they got too close. I shouted to them in Kiswahili “Rudi nyuma! Rudi nyuma!” (Get back. Get back)!
I asked one of the young men to collect buckets, or karais (big dishes) so that we could attempt to use sand to put out the fire around the aircraft. Being February, it was the dry season and the bushes were very dry and flammable.
In no time at all the villagers arrived with buckets and greatly assisted in putting the fire out. Fortunately the burning fuel and oil had gone downhill, away from the aircraft.
With the fire almost under control, I crawled back into the aircraft and took out the fire extinguisher which I used on the still-smouldering wing leading edge. I also removed our cool box of drinks together with my flight bag, medical box and the passengers’ personal articles.
I did not know how long we would have to wait to be rescued. We were in the rural countryside and not much traffic would be coming along this road.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 2025-Ausgabe von SA Flyer Magazine.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 2025-Ausgabe von SA Flyer Magazine.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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LIVING THE DREAM Part 2: Planning and Pax
Part 2: Planning and Pax
QUEEN AIR TALES
In the early seventies Esquire Airways acquired a pre-owned Beechcraft Queen Air. This top of the range 8,800 lb MAUW model had nine forward facing commuter seats and I flew it as a single pilot operation for several months.
HELICOPTER PILOTS SHOULD UNIONISE
Helicopter pilots are stuck in a 12-month flying cycle. While they will have periods of rest and active rest (performing ground-based tasks and planning ventures) within their work source campaigns, it's not a good situation. They need programmed periods to catch their breath.
AFTERMATH of the Engine Fire
Iris McCallum continues her stories about her early years with Air Kenya. This month she tells us about the immediate aftermath of her dramatic engine fire and crash, and her subsequent 'getting back onto the saddle'.
LARGEST EVER RHINO RELOCATION
Specialist air cargo operator ACS mobilised all its skills to successfully complete a very challenging project – the translocation of 39 White Rhino from Namibia to the USA.
NOVEMBER 2024
November sees strong growth in aircraft registrations with 16 additions, but 10 aircraft are cancelled as exported. The Type Certified additions are a mixed bag.
TWINCO FUEL
AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT
RON WHEELDON'S HUNTERS
RON WHEELDON is a Johannesburg based trademark and IP attorney. He writes, \"My love affair with Hawker Hunter jet fighters started in approximately 1963 when the Rhodesian parliament opening was marked by a fly-by of nine recently acquired Hawker Hunters in diamond formation.
FLYING THE HAWKER HUNTER
Flying a Hunter starts hours before actually walking out to the aircraft. This machine is a legend, but it is first of all about the highest performance machine that it is feasible for a civilian to fly. Flying it is not to be taken lightly.
RIGHT SEAT RULES NO. 25 SLOW FLIGHT
Most of us feel a bit edgy when the ASI creeps down within 10 KIAS of the stall. Jim Davis has some hints on how to be comfortable and in control - even when the airspeed is 20 KIAS below the stall.