Airlink - Incidents and Accidents

Incidents and Accidents

• On 24 September 2009, Airlink Flight 8911, a BAe Jetstream 41, crashed in the suburb of Merebank shortly after takeoff from Durban International Airport, injuring its crew of three and one person on the ground. The captain, Allister Freeman, died as a result of complications from his injuries on 7 October 2009.

• On 7 December 2009, an Airlink Embraer ERJ 135 (registration:ZS-SJW) on scheduled flight SA 8625, overshot the runway when trying to land in wet weather at George Airport; no fatalities were reported. The flight from Cape Town to George Airport was cleared for an instrument landing (ILS) approach and prevailing weather conditions at the time were overcast, with light rain. The aircraft touched down in the area of the fourth landing marker. The landing appeared normal, however the aircraft did not vacate the runway but instead veered to the right and collided with approach lights before it burst through the aerodrome perimeter fence, coming to rest in a nose-down attitude on a public road. The aircraft was damaged beyond economical repair. The accident was caused by an incorrect sealant used on the runway, the airline was cleared of all blame. Airlink's insurers took legal action against the state-owned Airports Company of South Africa.