History of Flight
On 5 January 2008 at 1215Z, a Beech E55 (registration ZS-PTB) departed Kitty Hawk Aerodrome on a private flight to Ubundu Game Lodge, a private game lodge near Bela-Bela. The pilot, accompanied by a passenger, was conducting his first flight to this location. The unmanned aerodrome approach procedure was followed: the pilot overflew the runway three times to inspect for wildlife. Wind was reported from the west and gusting, creating turbulent conditions. The pilot selected Runway 35 for landing, which had trees approximately 10 m (33 ft) tall near the threshold. His approach speed was between 100 and 120 knots.
On short final, the pilot encountered gusty winds and a downdraught. He applied back-pressure on the control column to counter the descent rate, but the right wing dropped and the propeller struck an Eskom power line consisting of three conductors. All three conductors were severed, causing a power failure in the area. The aircraft veered right and became uncontrollable. The pilot attempted to keep the nose up and steer left with available rudder authority. The aircraft impacted several small trees and shrubs on the right-hand side of the runway, coming to rest upright approximately 500 m past the threshold of Runway 35 and about 5 m to the right of the runway edge. Nobody was injured.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 56, held a valid private pilot's licence. He had 1 475.0 total flying hours, with 190.2 hours on type. His medical certificate expired on 30 November 2007 but no restrictions were noted. He had no previous accidents.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a 1973 Beech E55 (serial number TE-904) owned by Oscar Bravo Papa Vliegtuig CC. It was equipped with two Continental IO-520-C engines and Hartzell propellers. The last mandatory periodic inspection (MPI) was on 23 April 2007 at 3 020.4 hours; total airframe time at accident was 3 028.4 hours. The calculated landing weight was 4 300 lbs, below the maximum certified take-off weight of 5 300 lbs.
Meteorological Information
Weather was obtained from the pilot: wind direction 270°, gusting, good visibility, hot temperature, no cloud.
Communications and Navigation
The pilot broadcast on VHF 124.8 MHz. The aircraft had a Garmin XL150 GPS
Aerodrome Information
Ubundu Game Lodge is an unlicensed private aerodrome at coordinates South 24° 55.485’ East 027° 55.629’, elevation 3 600 ft AMSL. Runway 17/35 is grass, 1 300 m × 30 m, with no approach facilities.
Wreckage and Impact
The right propeller struck the power lines approximately 60 m from the threshold of Runway 35 at a height of about 10 m AGL. All three conductors were severed. Several metres of wire were found entangled around the crankshaft flange of the No. 2 engine. The aircraft then impacted trees and shrubs to the right of the runway and came to rest upright. Extensive damage occurred.