Incident Overview
An aircraft operating under Part 91 of the Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) departed Queenstown Aerodrome (FAQT) at 1329Z on an instrument flight plan for Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (FAPG). The flight carried two crew members and seven passengers. The estimated time of arrival at FAPG was 1430Z, but the aircraft did not arrive at its destination, and the crew did not cancel search and rescue procedures as required by the flight plan or air navigation regulations.
Search and Recovery
At approximately 1600Z, an official search for the missing aircraft began, coordinated by the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC). The initial phase was land-based in the Robberg Nature Reserve area, but progress was hampered by dense mist and darkness. A sea search was not possible until the next morning due to the late activation time. At first light, vessels from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) launched and recovered floating lightweight debris from the sea and along the western shoreline of the Robberg Nature Reserve, where foot patrols were also conducted. On 11 February 2011, the South African Navy joined the search using side-scan sonar to scan the seabed for wreckage. All nine occupants sustained fatal injuries in the accident.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the aircraft crashed into the sea following a possible in-flight upset associated with a loss of control during instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Contributory factors included: deviation from standard operating procedures by not flying the published cloud-break procedure for Runway 30 at FAPG, instead attempting to remain visual with the ground or sea by descending over the sea and approaching from the southeast; inclement weather below minima for the cloud-break procedure; deficient judgment and decision-making by the crew, who continued the approach from the seaward side during IMC rather than diverting to an alternate aerodrome; and the possibility that the pilot flying became spatially disoriented during a right turn while entering or encountering IMC during an attempted diversion to FAGG. Additionally, it was determined that this was the first time the two crew members had flown together.