What happened
On 30 January 2023, a Beechcraft E33 Bonanza, registration ZS-IBX, departed from a farm in Steelpoort, Mpumalanga, for a flight to Nelspruit Aerodrome (FANS). The flight was being conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) in a private capacity. During the flight, the pilot contacted air traffic control at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport to request entry into the airspace, which was granted.
As the flight progressed, the pilot made several attempts to contact his wife via video call, noting the deteriorating weather. After requesting a VFR descent and receiving clearance, the pilot ceased all radio communication with air traffic control. Shortly thereafter, another aircraft in the vicinity reported seeing the ZS-IBX crash approximately 1.79 nautical miles northwest of FANS. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact, and the pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID examined the flight path, meteorological conditions, and the pilot's credentials. Investigators established that the pilot was flying under a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) but was not instrument flight rated. The investigation also looked into the aircraft's maintenance and flight records, noting that the flight folio had not been updated with recent fuel uplifts, making it impossible to verify fuel consumption for the leg.
Findings
- The pilot entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) despite not being instrument rated.
- The aircraft encountered low-level clouds and mist that obscured the terrain.
- The pilot likely experienced spatial disorientation after losing visual reference while flying into IMC.
- The pilot may have been influenced by a "get-there" mindset, attempting to reach the destination despite the worsening weather.
- The aircraft struck rising terrain during the period of disorientation.
Safety action
- Pilots must ensure they obtain accurate weather information for their destinations and plan accordingly.
- Pilots should strictly avoid operating in weather conditions that exceed their training or license endorsements.