Accident Overview
On 07 October 2005 at approximately 2030Z, a Cessna 172K (registration ZS-FJS) operating as a private flight from Rand Aerodrome (FAGM) to Makhado Civil Aerodrome (formerly Louis Trichard) crashed near Bandelierskop in the Makhado area, Polokwane. The pilot and one passenger were on board. Both occupants sustained injuries; no fatalities occurred. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident.
Flight Sequence
The pilot and passenger departed Rand Aerodrome at 14h00Z for a private flight to Air Force Base Makhado to attend a fighter meet. The pilot reported that a 15-knot headwind increased flight time by 15 minutes, resulting in a landing shortly after sunset but still within twilight. Due to low clouds from the east, the pilot overflew Polokwane International Aerodrome at an altitude of 800 feet. The Polokwane Air Traffic Controller reported the aircraft overhead at approximately 1410Z. The last radio call to ATC was at 1813Z when departing the Polokwane traffic zone northbound. The pilot elected to fly slightly west of the N1 highway, which was well lit by traffic.
As the pilot approached the brightly lit Louis Trichard Toll Plaza, he realized the weather was deteriorating and decided to turn back to land at Polokwane. He was being tracked by Makhado radar and ATC. The last advisory from ATC indicated that he was approaching the toll plaza and should turn left on track to the base. The pilot turned left away from the lights and immediately lost all visual references when entering a low bank of mist.
Accident and Impact
After losing visual references, the pilot observed what he believed to be the aircraft's landing lights on the ground. He pulled the power off and pulled back on the control column in an attempt to fly the aircraft away from danger. The aircraft struck the ground hard, right wing first, then tumbled until the wreckage came to rest upside down approximately 237 meters from the initial impact point. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable Cause
The pilot flew into deteriorating weather. He lost control of the aircraft and while attempting to recover by pulling back on the control column, the aircraft stalled with the right wing first and crashed. A contributing factor was the pilot in command's decision not to land at Polokwane but to proceed to his destination because of his media commitments.