The aircraft started its life in the USAAF as 44-83153 , it later went to the RAF Middle East as KK496 . It was registered in South Africa in 1947.

The first Koolhoven aircraft to reach the Union of South Africa was a model FK.41, modified by Desoutter in the UK to a Desoutter Dolphin. It was the second production aircraft built by the Koolhoven factory in Holland and was purchased by Marcel Desoutter and registered G-AAGC. It was sold to the Air Taxi Company (Pty) Ltd. of Wingfield in Cape Town and was registered ZS-ADX. The aircraft featured prominently in the search for the famous Swiss pilot Carl Nauer, who went missing along the West coast of Africa in August 1933.

Arrived at Rand Airport on delivery on 5 Nov 1934 (with ZS-AFA and ZS-AFB), and was registered to S.A. Lugdiens on 3 Dec 1934. The registration was cancelled on 30 Mar 1938, and the aircraft was returned to Junkers, becoming D-AGFD. Also carries "S.A.S. & H." titles, which stands for Suid-Afrikaanse Spoorweë en Hawens (South African Railways and Harbours).

One of 18 Ju86 aircraft operated by South African Airways. It later joined the SAAF fleet, serialed 647. The aircraft crashed on July 9, 1945 while on a flight from Swartkop AB to Brooklyn AB, Cape Town. It flew into a into hillside near the Pakhuis Pass in bad weather. The event cost the lives of all three crew members. The remains of the airframe were recovered in 1978 and are now on display at the South African Air Force Museum at Swartkop Airfield.