Accident Overview
On 18 January 2005 at approximately 1340Z, a pilot accompanied by four passengers departed from FAWB (Wonderboom Aerodrome) on a private flight. The intended destination was listed as FAHS (Harrismith aerodrome), but the pilot advised Wonderboom Air Traffic Controller that the destination was Springs via Delmas. Sometime after 1455Z, the aircraft impacted the ground near Cornelia.
Impact Details
The aircraft struck the ground at a high descent rate and high forward speed on a heading of 260° magnetic. At impact, the aircraft was in a 15° nose-down attitude with the right wing 30° low, while the nose was facing 211° magnetic.
Weather Conditions
Partly cloudy weather conditions with isolated thundershowers prevailed at the time of the accident. No eyewitnesses to the impact were found, but local inhabitants reported a severe storm in the vicinity of the accident site around the estimated time of the accident.
Casualties and Damage
The five occupants—the pilot and four passengers—were fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact.
Probable Cause
The official finding stated that the pilot may have lost control of the aircraft due to adverse weather conditions and entered a spiral while descending for landing at Harrismith.