What happened
On 5 June 1983, a Cessna 402 operated by the pilot departed for a flight toward Johannesburg following an initial trip to Cape Town. The flight, which included eight passengers, began under deteriorating weather conditions shortly before 13:00. During the flight, the pilot failed to adhere to instructions provided by air traffic control and avoided communication when controllers attempted to direct the aircraft back for landing.
Radar tracking indicated that the aircraft was flying in progressively smaller circles. The flight ended when the plane struck Polkadraai Road, a route situated between Stellenbosch and Kuils River. The accident resulted in seven fatalities, including five adults and one infant, while two adults managed to survive the impact.
Findings
Investigations into the accident revealed that the pilot lacked the necessary instrument flight rules (IFR) rating required for the weather conditions encountered during the flight. It was also noted that the pilot had a history of operating aircraft without proper training or certification. The primary factor in the crash was spatial disorientation caused by flying in instrument meteorological conditions without the appropriate qualifications, leading the aircraft to fly into the ground.