The aircraft, a one off Patchen TSC-2 Explorer 2000 reconnaissance aircraft, impacted the terrain while on approach to the Swartkop Air Force Base (FASK), Gauteng, South Africa.
The vintage airplane was destroyed by an ensuing post crash fire and the two people onboard were fatally injured.
The Explorer was developed for pipeline patrol operation, aerial photography and law enforcement agencies.
Only one example was ever built. The prototype was brought to SA in 1975 and evaluated as an observation aircraft for the SAAF.
Between 1976 and 1979 it was employed as a communication aircraft with Test Flight Development Centre (TFDC) at AFB Waterkloof.
Plans to build the type in SA did not come to fruition and the aircraft sat in a hanger for many years until it was acquired by the SAAF Museum and restored to flying condition.
As a result, it languished in a hangar for many years before being donated to the SAAF Museum.
One witness reported that the airplane flew over his home sputtering badly, possibly due to carb icing.