The Hindu : Sport / World View : Human error, bad weather led to Cronje plane crash

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Saturday, May 08, 2004

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Sport - World View

Human error, bad weather led to Cronje plane crash

Durban: The South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has arrived at the conclusion that human error and adverse weather conditions caused the plane crash which claimed the life of former national cricket captain Hansie Cronje in June 2002.

Two pilots also died when their Hawker Siddeley aircraft crashed into the Outeniqua mountains outside the town of George in the Western Cape province.

The CAA report said it has concluded its investigations into the crash. It found that the pilots had to execute an instrument-guided approach due to overcast conditions and rainy weather.

``The pilots did not follow the correct procedure after executing a missed approach and became lost. They flew the aircraft into a valley and crashed into the side of the mountain range,'' the report said.

Cronje was one of the most successful cricket captains in South Africa but became involved in match-fixing during a tour to India three years before his death. He was banned from cricket for life and he had to seek employment in the private sector.

It was during a trip back home from Pretoria when the plane in which he was travelling crashed into the mountains. — PTI

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