What happened
On 1 November 2008, a chartered flight carrying the pilot and five passengers departed from Wonderboom aerodrome, intending to reach Njala Lodge in the Limpopo Province. During the flight, the pilot utilized coordinates that proved inadequate for the intended destination, leading the aircraft to land at an unintended aerodrome.
While attempting to depart from the runway at this incorrect location, the pilot initiated a takeoff attempt without performing a sufficient evaluation of the prevailing wind conditions. This lack of assessment led to an aborted takeoff attempt when the aircraft was unable to achieve the necessary altitude. During the subsequent landing phase following the aborted departure, the aircraft struck a large rock, a telephone pole, along with its connected wires, and a four-foot wire fence. The sequence of impacts caused significant damage to the aircraft, which eventually came to a halt approximately five meters away from high-tension wires spanning a dirt road.
Findings
- The use of insufficient coordinates caused the flight to deviate to the wrong airfield.
- A failure to properly assess wind conditions during the takeoff attempt contributed to the aborted departure and subsequent collision with ground obstacles.