SAAF Harvard crashes at AAD 2002
Date: 22 September 2002
The last T-6G Harvard operated by the SAAF Museum was last on 22 September 2002 at 11h40 whilst preparing to perform a flypast on the last day of Africa Aerospace and Defence 2002 being held at AFB Waterkloof, Pretoria.
After suffering a loss of power, Harvard 7728, flown by Col Jeff Earle, hit a power line whilst attempting an emergency landing and crashed into an open field, three nautical miles south of Rietvlei Dam, Pretoria. It was reported that an instant before it hit the ground, the pilot managed to jump clear. The aircraft burst into flames and was destroyed. The pilot suffered broken ribs and a cut on the chin.
Later the same day, a civilian Harvard, part of a three-ship formation team, performed an emergency landing in the afternoon after also suffering a loss of power after take-off, landing 500 meters south of AFB Waterkloof. The two pilots walked away uninjured.
AAD 2002 press release
