The plane crash near Plettenberg Bay in February was not caused by a fire or engine failure, according to a preliminary SA Civil Aviation Authority report on Monday.
“The investigation team conducted an analysis of the engine and it was concluded that there were no indications of any pre-impact mechanical anomalies or dysfunction to any of the components observed,” the report stated.
“The investigation has also confirmed that there was no pre- or post-impact fire.”
The Pilatus PC-12 plane was travelling from Queenstown to Plettenberg Bay on February 8 when it crashed 1km offshore near the Robberg Nature Reserve.
The crash claimed the life of Italtile CEO Gianpaolo Ravazzotti. Also killed were pilot Bronwyn Parsons, co-pilot Alison van Staden and passengers Gia Celori of Italtile, Marilize Compion of Italtile, Sava Di Bella of Prima Bella Bathroom Accessories, Simon Hirschberg of Grainwave, Jody Jansen van Rensburg of CTM Alberton, Aletsia Krause of Italtile.
Their bodies, as well as debris were salvaged from the sea.
The plane disappeared off the radar at 16:30 and no distress call was received.
The report concluded there were no eyewitnesses, probably due to poor weather like dense fog and drizzle.
An investigation of salvaged debris indicated the left elevator on the right horizontal stabiliser of the tail plane was found to have failed and was unaccounted for.
– SAPA