What happened
On the evening of 09 November 2012, a Cessna 172R, registration ZS-SPI, departed Wonderboom aerodrome (FAWB) for a private night navigation flight. The pilot, accompanied by one passenger, intended to fly via Warmbaths and Nylstroom before performing a touch-and-go at Polokwane International Airport (FAPP). While the initial departure and climb to 7,500 feet appeared normal to air traffic controllers, the aircraft failed to reach its destination.
Following a period of silence and a failure to cancel the search and rescue plan, a search operation was launched the following morning. The aircraft was discovered having struck a mountain approximately 21 nautical miles southwest of Pol/okwane International at an elevation of roughly 5,940 feet. The impact destroyed the aircraft, and both occupants were killed at the scene.
The investigation
Investigators examined radar data, weather reports, and the aircraft's flight documentation. Radar plots revealed that the pilot had deviated from the original flight plan, opting to route directly to FAPP from FAWA without notifying air traffic control. This deviation included several incorrect heading changes and a left-hand orbit.
Evidence showed that the pilot had previously inquired about runway lighting and was advised by controllers that weather conditions at FAPP were poor. The investigation also noted that the pilot's navigation map was a 1:1,000,000 scale, which offered limited ground detail for night operations, and the pilot had not marked the unplanned diversion on his navigation log.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
- The pilot encountered deteriorating weather and inadvertently entered cloud cover while flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
- In an attempt to regain visual contact with the ground, the pilot descended into mountainous terrain.
- The pilot experienced spatial disorientation during the flight.
- Inadequate flight planning led to the selection of an incorrect track and an unsafe flight level (F075), which provided insufficient clearance over the terrain.
- The pilot's decision-making was influenced by a desire to complete flight hours, leading him to venture into substandard weather conditions.