What happened
On 5 October 2008, an aircraft was performing the return portion of a journey from Inhambane, Mozambique, to New Tempe aerodrome. The flight had previously stopped at Kruger Mpumalacia International Airport for customs and refueling, where 326 litres of fuel were added to the tanks. The flight was operated by a pilot who had recently been trained for the mission as the regular pilot was unavailable due to injury. On board were four adults and four children.
The aircraft departed Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport at 1317Z under visual flight rules. About 20 minutes into the flight, an observer noted the aircraft flying south toward the mountains at an altitude of roughly 1,000 feet AGL. The observer remarked that the plane was flying significantly lower than is typical for aircraft passing over that specific farm. At the time, thick mist was obscuring about one-third of the mountain peak.
Shortly after the aircraft passed the observer's location, the aircraft disappeared from view. Two minutes later, an explosion was heard. Although search and rescue teams were deployed via air and ground, efforts were obstructed by poor weather conditions. The wreckage of the aircraft type was discovered the next day, situated approximately 170 feet below the mountain summit. The impact sequence involved the aircraft striking a pine plantation, followed by a post-impact fire. There were 9 fatalities in the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft was flying at a much lower altitude than usual when observed near the farm.
- Thick mist was present on the mountain peak at the time of the accident.