What happened
On 14 August 2011, two aircraft departed from Tzaneen aerodrome (FATZ) at roughly 0820Z, intending to fly to Rand Airport (FAGM). The first aircraft, registration ZS-NJX, was carrying 6 people, while the second aircraft, ZU-MMI, was carrying 7 people. Both flights were being conducted for private purposes.
After failing to arrive at their destination as scheduled, the aircraft could not be reached via radio communications despite multiple attempts to establish contact. This prompted the launch of a search and rescue operation, which focused on the vicinity where the two planes were last known to have been in contact with each other and other air traffic.
Due to severe weather conditions in the area of the last known contact, the search was delayed. The wreckage was eventually discovered approximately two days after the incident. The investigation determined that both aircraft had collided with a mountain located in the Lekgalametse valley. The impact was followed by a fire that consumed both airframes. There were 13 fatalities in total, as every person on both flights was killed.
Findings
- The aircraft were operating in an area characterized by poor weather conditions at the time of the incident.
- Post-impact fire caused the total destruction of both ZS-NJX and ZU-MMI.