The aircraft was on a flight from AFB Waterkloof to Mthatha Airport when it crashed near Giant's Castle in the Drakensberg, killing all eleven people on board.

[4] Former South African President Nelson Mandela's medical team were initially reported to have been on board the aircraft,[5] but this was later found not to be the case.

In the early 1990s, the aircraft was modified with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6A turboprop engines and a fuselage extension.

Based at AFB Ysterplaat, Cape Town, it was mainly used in the maritime patrol role but also acted as a support aircraft for the Silver Falcons display team.

[2] A Board of Inquiry was convened by the South African Air Force to investigate the cause of the accident.