What happened
On 2కి November 2001, a private flight departed from East London destined for Wild Coast Sun. Prior to departure, the pilot received a favorable weather briefing from the Johannesburg Met Office and confirmed with the destination that the runway was operational and ground transport was arranged.
During the flight, the pilot did not submit a flight plan and had his mobile phone turned off. Consequently, he did not receive two voice messages left by a Wild Coast Sun employee warning that the runway was unserviceable and unsuitable for landing. Upon arriving at the destination at 1640Z, the pilot inspected the runway and proceeded to land on Runway 24. During the approach, the pilot observed a vehicle with its lights on, which he mistook for his pre-arranged transport.
As the Cessna 210L, registration ZS-NAO, touched down, the aircraft ballooned and the pilot lost directional control. During a second touchdown, the pilot applied power in an attempt to execute a go-around; however, the aircraft struck a tree. There were no runway lights present at the site at the time of the accident.
The investigation
The investigation established that the pilot was properly licensed and held a valid medical certificate. The aircraft was found to have been maintained according to requirements. The investigation also noted that the pilot was unaware of the runway's status due to his mobile phone being inactive, preventing him from receiving critical updates regarding the airfield's condition.
Findings
- The runway at Wild Coast Sun was closed, waterlogged, and slippery due to drizzle.
- The pilot failed to receive warnings regarding the unserviceable runway because his cellular device was powered off.
- The aircraft sustained significant damage to its wing, undercarriage, and propeller.
- The pilot escaped the incident without injury.