hey guys,News jsut coming in here in South Africa - SA Airlink J41 down positioning flight from Durban to Pitermaritzburg with no passengers only two pilots on board. Will keep you guys updated as we get more details.Only known that it went down on a school - as it is a public holiday here the school was empty

the topic should read SA Airlink... sorry about that

Some photos coming in :(

Hi Henk,That's not looking good. Any news on the crew? Thanks for keeping us posted.Groete daar!

http://www.avherald.com/h?article=4203d155&opt=0

The aircraft reg is ZS-NRM.This is from one of the local pilot forums:

2 pilots and a hostess. co pilot and hostess stable and airlifted. Captain is Critical with serious injuries to the legs.. he was conscious when they too him out (took some work) and sedated him to stabilise.

Good flying here to miss those houses!!!! Also someone local spotted the #1 donkey's blades are still full fine. See the bottom link. http://www.news24.com/Content/SouthAfrica/...recovery_wishes

yea thats a very interesting point...Theres photos of the engine in question but i dont want to post that photo as it also shows the EMS guys taking a crew memeber out

Very said news. This is the photo of the intact blades.

Good to hear the crew is alright.

Wow, looking at the close up where the plane is split in two, you can tell how the metal of the frame is so thin. I thought a commercial plane would be built a better than a C172 airframe.Chad

Rumour has it righthand bearing failure resulting in a unfeatherable prop.With all the things going wrong so many went right also, the plane was empty (repositioning flight) and it's a public holiday here so school closed.FRED

There is some more pictures here. WARNING, if you do not like seeing crew being carried of aircraft on stretchers, do not go there!!!!http://www.pprune.org/rumours-news/389970-...ent-durban.htmlFRED

Here's the latest press release from Airlink

JOHANNESBURG - Airlink would like to provide an update on the status ofits positioning flight (ferry flight), SA 8911 from Durban toPietermaritzburg which was involved in an accident at 08h00 on Thursday 24September 2009 . There were no passengers on board and no fatalities.Our three crew members and a bystander on the ground are in hospital inDurban receiving medical attention for their injuries.1. Flight Attendant Rodelle Oosthuizen sustained facial and backinjuries. She is stable and will be operated on today.2. Capt Alistair Freeman sustained multiple injuries including facialfractures, broken ribs and ankle and a suspected punctured lung. He isstill critical but stable and will be operated on his legs today, once thefacial swelling has reduced his facial fractures will be attended to.3. First Officer Sonja Bierman also sustained multiple injuries. She isin a stable condition and currently under sedation. She has broken both herankles and a hand and has sustained fractures in the pelvic area and chest.Her ankles were operated on successfully yesterday.4. The member of the public, Mr Abraham Mthethwa sustained legfractures and will be operated on today, He is critical but in a stablecondition.5. Airlink can confirm that the wreckage of the aircraft has beenreleased to Airlink's on-site technical team, who are working closely withthe South African Civil Aviation authority in its investigation of theaccident. The digital flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder havebeen retrieved and will be analyzed. The original equipment manufacturerBAE SYSTEMS PLC has dispatched a team of technical experts to assist withthe investigation should they be required by the SACAA.Airlink executive management is at the hospital to support the Family andloved ones and the injured personnel. Airlink can also confirm that traumacounseling for the Family members has been arranged for today.The aircraft a Jetstream 41 (29 seats) departed from Durban InternationalAirport and shortly after take-off declared an emergency. It had beenreported on the active Air Traffic Control radio channel by other pilots andair traffic controllers that smoke was seen coming from one of the engines.The crew then reported that they had encountered engine loss of power andthey declared an emergency.The aircraft ditched approx 400 m off the Airport. It appears that the crewwas executing a forced emergency landing. They had selected a small openfield in the built up area which was clearly not adequate for this purpose.The aircraft impacted a concrete palisade fence and columns and came to reston the sports field of Merebank High school in the Bluff area.It is remarkable that the skill and expertise of the pilots was such that inthis emergency they were able to pilot their aircraft to avoid contact withmembers of the public and buildings and that a major catastrophe wasaverted. Pilots are specifically trained for engine "power loss on takeoff"emergencies, and clearly this training has played its role. As luck wouldhave it, due to it being a public holiday, there were no learners at schoolat the time.Airlink has taken care of the travel and hotel accommodation arrangementsfor immediate family to be at the side of their loved ones.Airlink advises that its scheduled air services have not been disrupted .Operations continue as normal.Journalists should call 082 854 1988 for further information.Issued for AirlinkKARIN MURRAY

FRED