Nelspruit incident -years ago-any help?

[flyboy2]

Hi all

Many years ago at a Nelspruit airshow , a DC3 swung off the runway into the spectators !

Remember anything from this unfortunate incident ?

I'm looking for a report on it , as I need the surname of the hero-Brian- who pushed his wife out of harm's way but was himself cut down by one of the props

[snotneus]

Flyboy2, sorry you had 2 wait this long. Think it is the accident you are referring 2.
Either in '69 or '70, my dad was asked by his boss (think it was with United airways) to do a route proving flight with a DC3 into Nelspruit (FANS, before they extended the runway. Then it still ended at the "rapid exit"). The flight ended without any events, except that my dad refused to take the DC3 back there, stating that the airfield is unsuitable for the Dak. The air force heard that a civvy dak had been into FANS and decided to go there on the next air show, but unlike my dad's dak, this one had pax onboard. The runway was to short...
I'm still jogging my dad's memories/logbook and will try to give you a more specific date.

[MysticFlyer]

Hi,

Said DAK approached for an airshow at FANS. Being very precautionary due to field limitations and a preceding incident, the commander happened to land a little short....tragically.

On board, Parabats, tried to rectify/right nose heavy stance this accident left the plane standing. They, on three, ran backwards in order to right the plane, but in that effort, wrote it off!

These accident and incident on that day, if memory fails, but sure, as always, papers may be lot more patient.

Remember, it was an accident, like so may other...and the bats thought they may be doing something right, at that moment.

Agree, he was a hero that day in respect of his wife. Good luck, please tell us, should anyone of his family still be alive today, sure someone has info if you so desperately need it.

Brgds
MF

Edited to say: I think the hero lost an arm that day if I'm not mistaking...

[flyboy2]

Hi All

Thanks for input.

Other's have very kindly sent me newspaper cuttings about this tragic event during which Brian Lee was killed.
His wife survived , but have contact details on her.

Cheers