What happened
On the morning of 0 7 March 2010, a Lambada UFM - 13 microlight, registration ZS-GXH, departed from Worcester Airfield for a private photographic mission. The flight, conducted under visual flight rules, involved a pilot and one passenger flying at a low altitude over the area near the Kwaggas Kloof Dam.
During the flight, the aircraft was operating at an altitude of approximately 35 meters above ground level. While maneuvering, the aircraft's right wing struck electrical wires spanning the river. The impact severed the wingtip and caused a flapperon to separate from the wing, leading to an immediate loss of directional control. The aircraft entered an inverted roll, striking trees before the fuselage impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude. The impact destroyed the aircraft. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, while the passenger survived with serious injuries.
The investigation
Following the discovery that the aircraft had failed to return to the airfield, a search and rescue operation was launched, eventually locating the wreckage the following day. Investigators examined the wreckage, GPS data, and onboard video footage recorded by a GoPro camera mounted on the horizontal stabilizer.
Technical analysis of the GPS data showed the aircraft's ground speed decreased significantly during the final moments of flight, consistent with an impact with an obstacle. An inspection by Eskom confirmed the presence of three wires at the site, with the contact point occurring at roughly 35 meters above the river level. The investigation also noted that the passenger was focused on taking photographs at the time of the incident and was unable to assist in spotting obstacles.