Technically one cannot classify the crash of the Rietbok as the worst crash in Port Elizabeth. Even though it departed from Port Elizabeth, it crashed just off the coast at Kidd’s Beach, East London.

On Friday 4th December 1959, a PV1 Ventura crashed with the loss of the crew of 5, making it the worst air crash in Port Elizabeth.

Main picture: Lockheed PV1 Ventura painting by Ron Belling in VIP Transport Colours

Acquisition of the Venturas

During WW2, ships in South African waters were subject to the menace of German U-Boats which operated freely off the coast. To supplement the search and rescue capability, the Air Force acquired Lockheed Ventura Mark 1 & 2 bombers. The first to arrive were allocated to Brooklyn Air Station in 1942. The Ventura had a range of 3 100kms at a speed of 450 km/h. Lockheed manufactured a maritime version of the Ventura; the PV-1 patrol bomber. Between 1942 and 1960, the SA Air Force operated 130 B-34 bombers and 134 PV-1 maritime patrol bombers.

After WW2

Shortly after World War II a few Lockheed Venturas were modified as VIP transports to operate with 28 Squadron, reducing the flying time from Pretoria to Cape Town to just over three hours. After its conversion No 6487 (29 Squadron) was transferred to 28 Squadron in mid-1946. It had a polished natural metal finish, matt Ultramarine anti­glare nose and nacelle panels and (initially) A ­type roundels.

During the early 1950s, the Springbok roundel was introduced, and VIP aircraft were finished with White fuselage decking with UItramarine separating stripes. Castle insignia were introduced prior to their retirement. Another comparatively rare Ventura type were the post-war target tugs. The smooth fuselage topline was broken by the bulky winch and supporting structure. The aircraft were  finished in the standard RAF overall Yellow with 36 in (915 mm) Black diagonal bands at an angle of 60° and 72 in (1829 mm) wide on all surfaces. The stabilizer was Black and the elevators Yellow.

Ventura No 6481 was based at the Port Elizabeth Air Base for a short period during 1954 to undertake drogue-towing flights for maritime exercises off the coast. In 1957/58,the Avro Shackleton MR-3 long range maritime reconnaissance bomber replaced the Venturas in their maritime role. In 1960, when the Ventura disappeared from the scene, a Dakota was modified to continue the target tug duties. Apart from white decking, the same scheme was retained.

Crash

On Friday 4th December 1959, four Venturas and five fighters flew from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth as part of an exercise. Near Mossell Bay, one of the aircraft experienced an engine failure. By the time the aircraft arrived over the Port Elizabeth Air Base, a south-westerly gale had blown up, so the pilot of the stricken aircraft to go around rather than coming in straight with a strong tailwind.

While banking however, the Ventura number 6538 rolled over out of control. It could not reach the runway and crashed into the bush near Southdene with all five crew members being killed.

Eyewitnesses

Eyewitnesses recall that one of the engines had failed. As the plane was coming in to land, it plunged into the bushes between Forest Hill and Southdene in an area known as as “Langdraai“, being near the southern end of the +- N-S-running relatively new runway . The plane was totally devastated. All that they could recognise were the engines. There were two large impact crates where the engines went into the ground.

Apparently, according to WW2 pilots who flew the Ventura as a bomber, if one lost power in one engine, one had to avoid applying full power on the other engine due the plane having short wings, small rudders and a powerful 2800 cubic inch radial engine. This factor could have played a part in the crash.

Aircraft “decapitates” house

The following day, the crash enquiry team arrived aboard a VIP Ventura (No. 6462). While starting u for the return flight, one of the engines burst into flames. Fitted with a new engine , the aircraft was on its way to Pretoria via Durban a week later, but another powerplant problem developed. Unfortunately it ended up in a dry river bed near Port St. Johns, but luckily none of the seven people on board were killed.

5 killed in PE Bomber Crash: Eye-witnesses tell of last moments (Herald, December 4^th 1959)

Within half an hour only the charred remains of the aircraft and crew remained.

The crash occurred about 12:45 p.m. Within minutes fire engines and ambulances arrived on the scene.

The plane was burning furiously. Trees and bush caught fire making the area almost unapproachable.

The plane is believed to be from Pretoria. Officials are checking with Pretoria to find out the number of the aircraft and the identity of the crew.

Cars Rush to Scene  

Many Port Elizabeth people watched the aircraft’s last moments in the sky. Hundreds of cars rushed to the scene of the crash.

A military policeman standing at  the wreck said he could distinguish the charred remains of four bodies in a pile of warped metal and rubble.

One of the first men on the scene was Mr. H.J. Francis of 5^th Avenue, Forest Hill. “I was at Forest Hill when I saw the plane come over and crash. It took me ten minutes to get to the spot. But I could not go near the plane because of the huge blaze.  I saw no one come out of the wreckage –  no one at all.

Sources

A Portrait of Military Aviation in South Africa by Ron Belling (1989, Struikhof Publishers, Cape Town)

,https://saafmuseum.org.za/saaf-boats/

P.E. Accidents and Disasters  by Khitab (June 1973, Looking Back, Vol X111, No 1)

5 killed in PE Bomber Crash: Eye-witnesses tell of last moments (Herald, December 4^th 1959)