What happened
On 8 June 2025, a group of three aircraft flying in loose formation departed Virginia Aerodrome (FAVG) in KwaZulu-Natal. The group, consisting of ZS-KFB, ZS-EIL, and ZS-CZU, intended to fly via Richards Bay to Ladysmith Aerodrome (FALY) to refuel and drop off a passenger.
While the flight initially proceeded under visual conditions, the pilots realized they might arrive at Ladysmith after sunset. Because FALY lacks runway lighting, the pilots of ZS-KFB and ZS-CZ and attempted to land but were forced into go-arounds due to being too high and fast. The pilot of ZS-EIL landed safely, but the remaining two aircraft were forced to divert to Greytown (FAGY) and Pietermaritzburg (FAPM).
During the diversion, the aircraft lost visual contact and radio communication with one another. At 1648Z, the crew of ZS-CZU sent a WhatsApp message to the ZS-EIL crew, reporting that they had encountered severe weather and had crashed near Greytown. A subsequent search revealed the wreckage of ZS-KFB on 9 June 2025. All three fatalities were confirmed.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the flight planning and meteorological data for the period. The investigation established that the pilots had relied on a mobile phone application for weather updates rather than official South African Weather Service (SAWS) reports. This led to a lack of awareness regarding the severity of the incoming weather.
Furthermore, the investigation found that the pilots had selected alternate aerodromes, such as FAGY, which required an instrument rating for night operations, despite the pilots' credentials. The investigation also noted that the pilots did not check recent NOTAMs, which would have revealed that lighting facilities at their primary alternate, FANC, were unserviceable.
Findings
- The accident was caused by loss of control due to spatial disorientation after the aircraft entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and lost all external visual references.
- The pilots failed to utilize official weather forecasts, leaving them unprepared for the inclement weather encountered during the diversion.
- Flight planning was inadequate, as the crew chose diversion airports that required instrument ratings for night landings.
- The pilots did not consult NOTAMs regarding the lighting status of their intended alternate aerodromes.