Overview
On 03 October 2005 at 1600Z, a Cessna 172 aircraft, registration ZS-JMI, was involved in an incident while landing at a private aerodrome (Gelukstadt) near Vryheid in KwaZulu-Natal. The flight was a private operation with one pilot and one passenger on board. Weather conditions at the time included easterly winds of 10-15 knots, temperature 28°C, and clear skies.
Flight Details
The pilot, holder of a private pilot license, was flying from Richards Bay Aerodrome to the private aerodrome. The aerodrome features a sloping uphill runway with high tension wires near the threshold.
Incident Sequence
As the pilot approached the aerodrome near sunset, visibility was deteriorating. During the approach, the pilot misjudged the height while flying over the high tension wires. The propeller impacted a wire, causing the wire to sever. The pilot subsequently experienced a sudden change in light intensity, being momentarily in sunlight and then in shadow, which affected his vision. Despite the wire strike, the pilot made a safe landing without further incident.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained minor scratches to the propeller spinner. No injuries were reported among the pilot or passenger.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the incident was that the pilot misjudged his height and collided with a high tension wire.