Accident Details
On 26 October 2001, at approximately 1100Z, a Piper PA28-180 (registration ZS-IST) departed from a farm in the Bray District for a flight to a farm in the Potchefstroom District. The pilot, who held a private pilot licence with 680 total flying hours, was accompanied by a farm worker.
Weather Conditions
Poor weather conditions with a low cloud base were reported. The pilot had phoned his wife and the weather office earlier and was told the cloud bases were high. Later, he contacted his wife again, stating he had landed on a road due to poor weather but intended to continue to either Klerksdorp or Lichtenburg. His wife subsequently lost contact with him.
Eyewitness Accounts
Eyewitnesses reported that the top of the mountain was covered with clouds. One witness saw the aircraft and heard it flying around the mountain; she then observed it disappear into the clouds.
Aircraft Discovery
After the pilot’s wife initiated a search, the aircraft was located the following day. It had impacted the top of Platberg near Klerksdorp, approximately 15 nautical miles from Potchefstroom, at coordinates S26°41.167' E026°40.822'. Both occupants were killed.
Occupant and Pilot Information
The pilot's licence was valid. His experience on the aircraft type was unknown. No injuries were reported among the two persons on board; both were fatally injured.
Probable Cause
The non-instrument rated pilot entered instrument meteorological conditions and collided with mountainous terrain which was obscured by low cloud.