Proflight incident at Luangwa
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Proflight incident at Luangwa
A few days ago while socialising at a well-known watering hole three pilots were advised of another Proflight incident by someone who was a passenger on the aircraft. Apparently it was on a charter to Luangwa, Zambia, formerly known as Feira, and happened in November. According to the passenger, when the aircraft arrived at Luangwa it circled over the airfield several times as if the pilot did not know what to do. Then after some comments from the passengers on the lines of: “What’s the problem?” a landing was made. This resulted in the aircraft going off the end of the runway and into the bushes. Thankfully nobody was hurt and the plane was later able to fly the passengers out. Naturally the passengers were not amused by their experience!
All three pilots know Luangwa airfield and are wondering what happened. For those unfamiliar with it, Luangwa is a wide grass strip of 1,000m length on an East/West orientation, 1250’asl. Both approaches are unobstructed and there is a slight uphill towards the East. It is rough in the middle due to vehicles using it. Such a strip should not pose any problem to a professional pilot using the sort of plane that normally operates into such airfields. Which Proflight plane was involved, what was the cause of the incident, and was there any damage to the plane?
All three pilots know Luangwa airfield and are wondering what happened. For those unfamiliar with it, Luangwa is a wide grass strip of 1,000m length on an East/West orientation, 1250’asl. Both approaches are unobstructed and there is a slight uphill towards the East. It is rough in the middle due to vehicles using it. Such a strip should not pose any problem to a professional pilot using the sort of plane that normally operates into such airfields. Which Proflight plane was involved, what was the cause of the incident, and was there any damage to the plane?
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Haven't got a clue what a/c involved or what the story is but I can state that(as of late 2005) Luangwa(Feira) was(is) the absolute worst airfield in Zambia by a mile and should nat be used at all.
Quagmire
Quagmire
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Funkey-Monkey is correct. Following F-M’s post we tried to contact the passenger but it was only last week that we were able to clarify the facts. Sorry for the delay. Of course, we apologise to Proflight and are happy to post this correction. Thanks to F-M for bringing this to our attention.
The aircraft involved was a Baron belonging to Ngwazi Air Charter of Ndola. According to the passenger it landed downwind well down the runway and went off the end into the bushes. Damage if any was minor, mainly to someone’s pride.
Regarding Quagmire’s post, I did mention that Luangwa is rough in the middle due to vehicles using it. However, it was inspected by DCA last year before being reopened so it does meet the (very!) minimum standards required. There are other airstrips that are similarly rough. Perhaps Quagmire is fairly new and has now discovered this. It is just part of aviation in Africa.
Pilots visiting Luangwa should be careful where they park. Before reopening last year the airstrip was overgrown with thorn bushes. Last year’s clearing was poorly done. The strip is clear in the centre thanks to all the vehicular traffic but along the sides are considerable areas with long white thorns or the tough and sharp stumps of bushes protruding several inches above ground. It is very easy to get a flat tyre so check well before pulling off the runway to park.
The aircraft involved was a Baron belonging to Ngwazi Air Charter of Ndola. According to the passenger it landed downwind well down the runway and went off the end into the bushes. Damage if any was minor, mainly to someone’s pride.
Regarding Quagmire’s post, I did mention that Luangwa is rough in the middle due to vehicles using it. However, it was inspected by DCA last year before being reopened so it does meet the (very!) minimum standards required. There are other airstrips that are similarly rough. Perhaps Quagmire is fairly new and has now discovered this. It is just part of aviation in Africa.
Pilots visiting Luangwa should be careful where they park. Before reopening last year the airstrip was overgrown with thorn bushes. Last year’s clearing was poorly done. The strip is clear in the centre thanks to all the vehicular traffic but along the sides are considerable areas with long white thorns or the tough and sharp stumps of bushes protruding several inches above ground. It is very easy to get a flat tyre so check well before pulling off the runway to park.
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Carrier,
Perhaps in future it would be more courteous to check the facts BEFORE posting an inaccurate and potentially damaging account. It's admirable that you checked up and corrected the mistake, but you know how itchy those lawyers get sometimes....
NP.
Perhaps in future it would be more courteous to check the facts BEFORE posting an inaccurate and potentially damaging account. It's admirable that you checked up and corrected the mistake, but you know how itchy those lawyers get sometimes....
NP.
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Carrier calm down!
Carrier,
I'm not entirely sure if you are just new to this site or if I have just never come accross you before. Your comments are generally correct and in a perfect world completely applicable. However the way you come accross is starting to get a little "know it all" and aggresive.
You are not going to be the saviour of Zambian aviation but it cannot be denied that there is room for improvements. So instead of coming down like a sledgehammer on all of us, why dont you try a different approach.
I'm not entirely sure if you are just new to this site or if I have just never come accross you before. Your comments are generally correct and in a perfect world completely applicable. However the way you come accross is starting to get a little "know it all" and aggresive.
You are not going to be the saviour of Zambian aviation but it cannot be denied that there is room for improvements. So instead of coming down like a sledgehammer on all of us, why dont you try a different approach.
