De Beers Clarify Plane Crash Reports

The plane was held in the air by suspenders tied to the ground - the dock - when it was sent crashing to earth by strong winds a few kilometres away injuring the pilot on board. "The accident happened at the exploration base set-up in the vicinity of Jwaneng mine.

The Zeppelin was not flying at the time of the accident," the company said. Last Thursday, the state television quoted the Mabutsane Police station commander saying the airship was on a routine mission when it was forced to fly beyond its limit by strong winds and crashed down when the pilot failed to cope.