History of Flight
On 7 October 2005, a pilot accompanied by two passengers departed Nelspruit Aerodrome (FANS) at approximately 1305Z on a private VFR flight to Rand Aerodrome (FAGM). The flight had been delayed due to adverse weather. At 1317Z, the pilot contacted Lowveld Air Space Sector (LASS) ATC via relay aircraft SLE121, reporting his position about 2 miles east of Kaapse Hoop and requesting to climb above the mountain ridge because the clouds were low. At that time, the aircraft was at 4,100 ft AMSL. LASS ATC cleared the aircraft to climb to 9,000 ft AMSL (FL090), and the pilot acknowledged passing 5,200 ft climbing to FL090. No further communication was received. The aircraft failed to arrive at its destination, prompting a search and rescue operation. The wreckage was found the following morning at approximately 0900Z on the eastern side of Tafelkop.
Injuries to Persons
The pilot and two passengers sustained fatal injuries. The source lists one pilot and two passengers as fatalities.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft was destroyed by impact with terrain and the ensuing post-impact fire. Only the tail section remained relatively intact; the rest was consumed by fire.
Other Damage
Aside from grass burned at the accident site, no other damage occurred.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 22, held a valid Private Pilot Licence with 70.6 total flying hours, of which 45.0 were on the Cessna 172 type. He had no previous accidents.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Cessna 172L (serial number 172-59318), manufactured in 1970, owned by Lowveld Aero Club. At the time of the accident, the airframe had 7,480.2 total hours. The last MPI was on 11 August 2005 at 7,422.4 hours. The engine was a Lycoming O-320-E2D with unknown hours since new but 917.0 hours since overhaul.
Meteorological Information
Weather conditions at the accident time (1330Z) included overcast cloud with base less than 1,000 ft AGL, temperature 18°C, dew point 13°C, wind 360°/10 kt. Satellite imagery showed cloudy conditions over the Tafelkop area.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The aircraft impacted terrain on the eastern side of Tafelkop mountain, approximately 100 metres below the peak, at an elevation of 5,471 ft (GPS: S25°44.381' E030°43.764'). The aircraft was climbing in a south-westerly direction when it struck the upslope (approximately 45° gradient). The empennage and aft fuselage slid backwards about 80 metres. The impact was consistent with controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
Fire
A post-impact fire destroyed the aircraft.
Survival Aspects
The accident was considered not survivable due to high impact forces and the post-impact fire.
Tests and Research
No tests or research were possible due to the destruction of the aircraft by fire.
Probable Cause
The aircraft impacted with high-rising terrain in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) whilst the pilot attempted to climb above the mountain.