Dutch museum shocked at Pretoria plane crash that left 1 dead, several injured

The largest aerospace museum in the Netherlands has expressed its shock at a plane crash that claimed the life of one person on Tuesday in Pretoria.

“We are extremely shocked that the Convair 340‚ the aircraft that was on its way to the Aviodrome‚ crashed during the takeoff of a test flight in South Africa. Our priority is now to securing the safety of all those involved‚” Aviodrome said in a post on Facebook. 

The museum confirmed three of their personnel were slightly injured in the crash. 

Aviodrome general manager Serena van Kammen is flying to Pretoria on Wednesday morning. One person died‚ two pilots are critical and a passenger has suffered a double amputation in the airplane crash north of the capital on Tuesday afternoon.

Emer-G-Med chief operating officer Jurgen Kotze said the pilots were transported to Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg. Paramedics said the plane crash left at least 19 people injured.

Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokesperson Kabelo Ledwaba said the authority would issue a statement on the crash on Wednesday.

Timothy Connor Brandt posted photographs of the vintage aircraft on the Facebook group Dutch Aviation Photographers Group.

“Seen on Sunday morning at Pretoria’s Wonderboom Airport‚ ex Rovos Air Convair 340 ZS-BRV‚” the caption read.

According to Brandt‚ the plane was repainted in “the classic Martinair scheme for its imminent departure to its new home at the Aviodrome Lelystad in the Netherlands”.

He said the airplane was set to arrive in Europe on July 23.

“It is a pity that the titles have not been applied yet but I am still nevertheless ecstatic to be able to get some nice photos of this stunning old aeroplane one final time.”