What happened
On 13 July 2007, a Beech Bonanza 36, registered ZS-DEN, was conducting a private flight from Seretse Khama Aerodrome to Haina Ventures Aerodrome in Botswana. Upon arriving at the destination, the pilot attempted to land on Runway 22. During the landing roll, the pilot experienced a sensation of the aircraft ballooning and subsequently increased engine power in an attempt to maintain control.
During this maneuver, the aircraft encountered what appeared to be a whirlwind. This sudden atmospheric disturbance caused the aircraft to lift off the runway surface without pilot input. As the aircraft rose, it pitched sharply to the left, leading the left wingtip to strike a small ridge located on the left side of the runway. The impact caused the aircraft to roll over, eventually coming to rest embedded in a thorn tree adjacent to the runway. While the aircraft suffered substantial damage to the engine, propeller, wings, and undercarriage, there were no injuries reported among the pilot or the three passengers on board.
The investigation
The investigation reviewed the pilot's credentials and the aircraft's maintenance history. At the time of the accident, the pilot held a valid private pilot's license with the appropriate type rating and a valid medical certificate. The aircraft's maintenance records indicated that the last Mandatory Periodic Inspection (MPI) had been completed on 15 September 2006, with 55.3 flight hours accumulated since that inspection. All recorded airworthiness directives and service bulletins were found to be in compliance.