Support to crew and ground support personnel after emergency landing
Date: 27 January 2006
Gerrit & Marentia Immelman, a farmer & his wife near Sutherland gave invaluable support and showed wonderful hospitality towards the crew and ground support personnel of Oryx 1200 on 12 & 13 October 2005.
Pilot: Lt Col Kobus Meyer
Co-Pilot: Lt Russel Bartlett
Flight Engineer: WO Vic Rademan
Oryx 1200 (TFDC Oryx) was en route from Ysterplaat to Johannesburg when she experienced a total loss of fluid from her main hydraulic system ±25nm NE of Sutherland.
The aircraft lost all secondary hydraulic functions (normal landing gear lowering, brakes as well as the auto pilot system). This caused severe degraded controllability as well as an inability to lower the landing gear fully (Right hand main landing gear remained locked in the up position).
Oryx 1200 executed an emergency landing on the Immelman's farm and eventually landed with the right hand landing gear on a stacked slate stone pile.
The Immelmans treated the crew and the ground support team from Ysterplaat to excellent meals, wonderful accommodation and exceptional hospitality for more than 26 hours. Oryx 1200 was repaired on the farm and flown to Johannesburg the next day.
The Officer Commanding AFB Overberg wish to extend his gratitude on behalf of the SA Air Force to Mr & Mrs Immelman for their support and hospitality rendered to the crew and support staff of Oryx 1200 during a potentially life threatening situation.
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Photos: SAAF
