Cessna TU206F Forced Landing at Goedgevonden Cole Mine (ZS-MKG)

Flight Details and Accident Sequence On the morning of 27 May 2009, a Cessna TU206F (registration ZS-MKG) operated by Fotogramensura (Pty) Ltd departed Wonderboom Aerodrome at approximately 0830Z for a commercial geographical survey flight in the Bethal and Kriel area. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and a camera operator. After approximately two hours of flight, the pilot observed a sudden drop in engine oil pressure. The engine subsequently ran roughly, followed by two loud thumping noises and smoke entering the cockpit. At an altitude of approximately 3,000 feet AGL, the pilot shut down the engine, broadcast a Mayday call on VHF 127.4 MHz, and initiated a forced landing in an open field. ## Impact and Aftermath The aircraft touched down on level ground but struck an embankment approximately 40 cm high on the edge of a mine service road 13 meters after initial touchdown. The impact caused the aircraft to bounce into the air, during which the nose wheel broke off. The aircraft then impacted soft soil in a nose-down attitude; the nose gear strut dug into the ground, causing the aircraft to nose over and come to rest inverted. Both occupants evacuated the aircraft unassisted. The pilot sustained a cut to his head, and the camera operator sustained a cut to his right leg from a loose camera. Both were transported to a Witbank hospital and discharged the same day. ## Aircraft and Maintenance Information The aircraft, a 1975 Cessna TU206F with serial number U206-03018, had a total airframe time of 8,703.8 hours at the time of the accident. It was powered by a Teledyne Continental TSIO-520-M engine. A 50-hour inspection was certified on 25 March 2009, during which the oil filter and gasket were replaced. The pilot reported checking the oil level pre-flight, which indicated 10 quarts. The last recorded oil top-up was on 22 March 2009, when 1 litre was added. The aircraft was within its weight and balance limitations at the time of the accident.