What happened
On the morning of 17 June 2006, a Cessna 182S, registration ZS-OIC, departed from Watervaldrift Farm in the Piet Retief region for a private flight. The aircraft was carrying two people, including the pilot and one passenger. During the flight, witnesses observed the aircraft flying at a very low altitude and performing a series of turns. While executing a right-hand turn, the aircraft struck a high-tension electrical wire situated approximately 26.78 meters above the ground.
The impact with the wires caused significant structural damage, specifically to the rudder and the vertical stabilizer, a portion of which broke away from the airframe. This loss of control surface integrity severely compromised the aircraft's flight characteristics. Following the collision, the aircraft traveled roughly 220 meters from the wire installation before striking the ground. The engine and airframe suffered extreme damage, and a post-impact fire completely destroyed the aircraft. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the flight path and the condition of the aircraft following the crash near Iswepe – Bushmen Bend. The inquiry confirmed that the pilot held a valid Private Pilot License with a specific rating for the Cessna 182S. Records indicated that the aircraft's last Mandatory Periodic Inspection (MPI) had been completed on 18 November 2005, at 639.7 airframe hours, and all relevant Airworthiness Directives and Service Bulletins were up to date.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot flying at an extremely low altitude, which led to the collision with the electrical infrastructure.
- The aircraft was observed performing maneuvers that suggested unsafe flight operations prior to the impact.
- The collision with the high-tension wires caused the separation of part of the vertical stabilizer, making the aircraft nearly impossible to control.