What happened
On the afternoon of 5 November 2025, a Bat Hawk R aircraft, registration ZU-IZD, was conducting a game surveillance flight over Mapungubwe National Park in Limpopo Province. The flight, operated under private Part 94 regulations, began with a takeoff from the Mapungubwe National Park Airstrip. After approximately one hour of flying, the pilot returned to the airstrip to land.
During the final approach, while the aircraft was roughly 100 feet above the ground, the pilot observed the left wing dropping. Although the pilot managed to level the wings momentarily, the left wing dropped again. In an attempt to recover, the pilot applied full power, used full right rudder, and pulled back on the control column. However, the aircraft entered a stall and struck the ground approximately 150 metres from the threshold of Runway 36. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft, and both the pilot and the passenger sustained serious injuries, requiring them to be airlifted to a hospital.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance and operational history. The Bat Hawk R had been inspected and certified for service in June 2025, and the aircraft was considered airworthy at the time of dispatch. Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were noted as being under visual meteorological conditions, with a windsock at the airstrip indicating no wind.
Findings
- The aircraft likely experienced a loss of airspeed during the final approach phase.
- The resulting aerodynamic stall led to a loss of control, making the ground impact unavoidable.
- The investigation identified poor airmanship as a contributing factor to the accident.