History of the Flight
On Friday, 4 May 2012, at approximately 1530Z, the pilot and his wife departed Piet Retief Aerodrome (FAPF) in Mpumalanga province on a private flight to Greytown Aerodrome (FAGY) in KwaZulu-Natal. No flight plan was filed. Weather at departure was reported acceptable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR). A witness at FAPF observed the pilot conducting a pre-flight inspection, after which the aircraft was refuelled. The engine was started, the aircraft taxied to the runway, and pre-takeoff checks were performed. The takeoff appeared normal.
After flying approximately 123.64 nautical miles, near the destination, the aircraft impacted rising terrain. A post-impact fire erupted. Both occupants were fatally injured. The aircraft was operated under Part 135 of the Civil Aviation Regulations.
Witness Observations
Witnesses in the Stanger (Kwa-Dukuza) area, about 1.69 nautical miles north of FAGY, reported observing a small single-engine Cessna flying at low altitude (approximately 200 feet AGL) with navigation lights flashing, routing south-westerly. The aircraft then made a 180° turn near De Rust private aerodrome and a right-hand turn south-westerly alongside the R74 road. Witnesses noted an unusual spluttering noise from the engine. After about 1.35 nautical miles, the aircraft disappeared from sight and a loud explosion was heard. The farmer's wife and son located the accident site around 20 minutes later, finding it engulfed in flames. They could not approach due to the fire and reported no signs of survivors. Emergency services were contacted and attended the scene.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Cessna U206G Stationair, serial number U206-06344, manufactured in 1981. Total airframe hours at the time of the accident were 5160.0. It was equipped with a Continental IO-520-F engine and a Hartzell PHC-J3YF-1RF propeller. The last mandatory periodic inspection was conducted on 12 August 2011 at 5123.5 hours, with 36.5 hours flown since. The owner was De Ja´c Trust.
Injuries and Damage
Both the pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by impact and the ensuing fire. Damage was limited to trees on the farm.
Meteorological Information
Weather information was obtained from the South African Weather Services. Surface analysis at 1500Z showed a coastal low propagating north-eastwards along the KwaZulu-Natal coast, bringing cool, moist maritime air. Satellite imagery indicated a trough at 850hPa broadening at 700hPa, with zonal flow aloft. At FAGY, automated reports showed moist conditions (dry-bulb 18°C, dew-point 16°C), southerly to south-westerly winds, and increasing QNH between 1600 and 1700Z. Low clouds (stratus and possibly fog) were observed in the Greytown area.
Probable Cause
The probable cause determined by the investigation was controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).