What happened
On 05 October 2008, a Britten-Norman Islander, registration ZS-OSD, was performing a private flight from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport to New Tempe aerodrome. The flight was part of a return journey from Mozambique, carrying the pilot and eight passengers, including four children.
Roughly 20 minutes after departing Kruger Mpumalanga, a witness observed the aircraft flying at an altitude of approximately 1000ft AGL. The witness noted the aircraft was flying significantly lower than usual to navigate the mountain range and observed thick mist covering the peaks. Shortly after the aircraft disappeared from view, an explosion was heard. Search and rescue efforts, though hindered by poor weather, located the wreckage the following day in a pine plantation near Barberton. The aircraft had struck the terrain at high speed and was destroyed by a post-impact fire. All 9 occupants sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the flight history and the pilot's recent experience. The pilot had only completed a type conversion for the Britten-Norman Islander four days prior to the accident. The investigation also reviewed the meteorological conditions, which involved a high-pressure system bringing moist air and low cloud cover to the eastern escarpment.
Investigators also looked into the circumstances leading up to the departure. Evidence suggested the pilot had expressed significant concerns regarding the weather to both the aircraft owner and lodge staff. Furthermore, the investigation noted that a large amount of luggage and curios had been loaded onto the aircraft, and the pilot had faced pressure to proceed with the flight despite the deteriorating conditions.
Findings
- The aircraft was well-maintained and met all regulatory requirements.
- The pilot was properly licensed and held an instrument rating.
- The pilot attempted to continue visual flight rules (VFR) operations while encountering instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
- The pilot was subjected to pressure from the aircraft owner to complete the flight despite weather concerns.
- The impact was characterized by high-speed contact with the terrain, with propeller damage indicating the engines were producing power at the time of impact.