Sources say the accident happened during a period when the manufacturer was training BDF pilots on the use of the new version of the Pilatus PC-7s. The BDF Air Wing recently announced that it had signed a P290m ($44.76 million; 30.85 million euros) deal to acquire five of the PC-7 MkII from the Swiss turboprop aircraft manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. The PC-7 MkII would replace the current fleet of PC-7s that the BDF uses for training. The contract was signed in Gaborone earlier this year.
"The contract value is approximately 40 million Swiss Francs to procure a fleet of 5 PC-7 MkII turboprop trainer aircraft, with ground based training system including computer based training, spares, support equipment, as well as pilot and technician conversion training elements. Delivery of the aircraft, ground based training system and logistic support package is scheduled to be completed in early 2013, enabling the BDF pilot training to transition to the new PC-7 MkII platform during 2013" reported the manufacturer. The later version is said to have a much more advanced configuration.
