Accident
On 27 February 2006, a Mooney M20R aircraft, registration ZS-OVC, was destroyed when it impacted the ground near a gravel road in the Platinum Mine Field area of South Africa. The two occupants, the pilot and a passenger, sustained fatal injuries. The accident occurred at approximately 1130Z at GPS coordinates S 26° 42.06’ E 027° 26.16’. The aircraft was operated as a private flight.
Flight History
The pilot and his wife had departed from a farm near Nylstroom on 24 February 2006, flying to Stellenbosch to visit family and celebrate the wife's birthday. On 25 February, the pilot, his wife, and two children flew to Worcester Aerodrome (FAWC) to spend the weekend on a farm near Worcester. After landing at approximately 1600Z, the pilot refueled the aircraft to its full capacity of 90 US gallons (89 usable) and parked it in a hangar.
On the day of the accident, 27 February, the pilot and his wife filed a VFR flight plan from Worcester Aerodrome to Rietfontein farm near Nylstroom, requesting FL095 with an estimated flight time of 4 hours 10 minutes. They departed at approximately 0730Z, routing directly over Carnavon (FACN) then Kimberley (FAKM). At approximately 0915Z, the pilot requested descent to FL075 from Johannesburg Central due to cloud, which was approved. However, the pilot subsequently failed to respond to further calls. Another aircraft, ZS-MVS, relayed a message for ZS-OVC to contact Johannesburg Information on 119.5 MHz, which was acknowledged but never complied with.
Eyewitness Account
An eyewitness at the Platinum mine office near Marikana observed the aircraft approach from the southeast at high speed, flying past the offices. The aircraft disappeared from view, then reappeared from the northeast. After disappearing again, the witness heard a normal engine tone. The aircraft appeared a third time from the southeast, narrowly missing high tension wires. It continued flying very low at high speed in a northwesterly direction, made a right turn, and almost immediately dived into the ground. The witness rushed to the scene, concerned about fire due to a strong smell of fuel, but was unable to gain access to the cockpit.
Meteorological Information
At the time of the accident, weather conditions included broken cloud at 200 feet AGL with light rain. Wind was from 020° at 3 knots, cloud cover 8/8, temperature 18°C, and dew point 16°C.
Aircraft Information
The Mooney M20R (ZS-OVC) was privately owned and had accumulated 930.6 airframe hours at its last MPI inspection on 09 May 2005. Since then, it had flown an additional 80.4 hours. The maintenance organization that certified the inspection held a valid approval certificate.
Probable Cause
The pilot was on a VFR flight when he entered IMC conditions en route to his destination, and the aircraft impacted the ground.