Embraer EMB135 accident near George, Za, December 7, 2009
On December 7, 2009 at about 9:01 am local time, a Embraer EMB135, registered ZSSJW, was substantially damaged in an accident near George (George Airport). It was flown under non-U.S. commercial rules. 10 people had minor injuries; 25 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 7, 2009 · about 9:01 am local time
- Place
- George, South Africa · George Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 10 people had minor injuries; 25 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Embraer EMB135 LR · all EMB135s on the register
- Registration
- ZSSJW · no longer on the register · serial 145423
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. commercial rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On December 7, 2009 about 0901 UTC, South African Airlink flight 8625, an Embraer 135-LR, ZS-SJW, was involved in a landing overrun of runway 11 at George Airport, George, South Africa. The airplane struck approach lights and an airport perimeter fence during the accident sequence. Visual meteorological conditions and light rain prevailed at the time; an instrument flight plan was filed. Of the 35 persons aboard, the 3 crewmembers and 7 passengers received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. There was no fire. The flight originated at Cape Town, South Africa. The South Africa Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is investigating the accident. As the State of design and manufacture of the engines, the NTSB has designated a U.S. Accredited Representative to the CAA investigation. All inquires regarding this accident should be directed to: South African Civil Aviation Authority Accident and Incident Investigation Division (AIID) Ikhaya Lokundiza Building 16, Treur Close Waterfall Park, Bekker Street Midrand, Gauteng South Africa
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: FACT Cape Town at 8:21 am
- Destination: George
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 11, 6,561 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 9:00 am from FAGG
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 1 | |||
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 7 | 25 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.