Investigation Summary
On the morning of October 11, 1999, Captain Chris Phatswe entered the terminal at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport and took control of an ATR 42-320 (A2-ABB). Phatswe had been on medical leave for two months after being declared unfit to fly; contemporary reports indicated he had tested positive for HIV/AIDS and was facing the end of his career. After taking off without permission, he circled the airport for two hours, communicating with the control tower and expressing suicidal intent. He initially threatened to crash the plane into the Air Botswana building due to a grudge against management but was dissuaded when told people were inside. He demanded to speak with Vice President Ian Khama, as the President was out of the country. After being put through to Khama and as the aircraft began to run out of fuel, Phatswe performed two loops and then dove the aircraft at approximately 200 knots directly into the apron where Air Botswana's two other ATR 42s (A2-ABC and A2-AJD) were parked. The resulting fiery explosion destroyed all three airframes. The airport had been evacuated prior to the crash, and Phatswe was the sole fatality.
Final Conclusions
The crash was a deliberate act of suicide and sabotage by a pilot who had been declared unfit to fly. The investigation highlighted significant lapses in airport security that allowed an unauthorized, grounded pilot to access and start a commercial aircraft. The destruction of three ATR 42s left Air Botswana with only one BAe-146, which was already grounded for technical reasons, resulting in the total suspension of the airline's operations.
Video Analysis
The 1999 Air Botswana Crash — A detailed look at the suicidal crash of an ATR 42-320 by Captain Chris Phatswe in 1999, which destroyed the majority of the Air Botswana fleet.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Air Botswana N/A — ATR 42-320 · A2-ABB
Systems & Failure Modes
Airport Security
Security protocols at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport were described as lax, allowing a grounded pilot to access the ramp and start an aircraft without challenge.
ATR 42-320
A twin-turboprop regional airliner; three units of this type constituted the bulk of Air Botswana's operational fleet in 1999.
Interesting Facts
- 01The pilot had been grounded for medical reasons (reportedly testing positive for HIV/AIDS) and was on leave at the time of the incident.
- 02The crash destroyed three of Air Botswana's four aircraft, effectively ending the airline's operations temporarily.
- 03The aircraft used in the crash, A2-ABB, was manufactured in 1988 and had serial number 101.
- 04The two aircraft destroyed on the ground were registered as A2-ABC and A2-AJD.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Security Protocol Review
Following the incident, airport authorities and Air Botswana were forced to review ramp access and cockpit security to prevent unauthorized personnel or grounded crew from accessing aircraft.