What happened
On the morning of 15 October 2024, a Magni Gyro M-2ral with registration ZU-RGR departed from Nelspruit Airport (FANS) for a private flight toward Musina Aerodrome. While the flight began under visual conditions, the aircraft eventually disappeared from contact. After a family member reported the aircraft missing to the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre, a multi-agency search operation was launched involving the South African Police Service and various volunteer units.
On 17 October 2024, a drone spotted the wreckage near the summit of Hanglip Mountain in Louis Trichardt. The impact and subsequent fuel-fed fire had destroyed the aircraft, and the pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and meteorological data to determine the sequence of events. The investigation established that the aircraft was operating under Part 94 regulations and was not equipped with instrument flight rules (IFR) components, such as an attitude indicator.
While the aircraft's maintenance records were up to date, investigators found that the pilot had entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) without the necessary instrument rating. Local witnesses and official weather reports from Polokwane Airport confirmed that low cloud ceilings and restricted visibility were present in the area during the time of the accident.
Findings
- The pilot was flying under visual flight rules (VFR) but lacked an instrument rating.
- The aircraft entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which prevented the pilot from maintaining visual reference to the ground.
- The pilot attempted to descend to clear the cloud layer near Louis Trichardt, leading to a loss of situational awareness.
- The aircraft struck the mountain at an elevation approximately 870 feet below the peak.
- The accident was a result of controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
- Poor flight planning contributed to the occurrence.