What happened
On 29 January 2014, three aircraft departed Port Alfred aerodrome (FAPA) in a formation intended for a flight to Mossel Bay. The group included a Yak 52 and two Giles G202 aircraft, registered ZU-TZT and ZU-SDZ. Shortly after takeoff, the lead aircraft departed the formation due to unfavorable weather conditions. The remaining two aircraft continued toward their destination but soon encountered deteriorating weather, including rain and low cloud layers.
During the flight, the two remaining aircraft became separated. The pilot of ZU-ZOZ reported losing radio contact with ZU-TZT. While attempting to navigate through gaps in the clouds to find better visibility, the pilot of ZU-TZT eventually disappeared into a cloud layer. The pilot of ZU-ZOZ later managed to break through the overcast at 10,500 feet and established contact with air traffic control, though they were uncertain of their exact position. Following the flight, a search was initiated by the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre, and the wreckage of ZU-TZT was discovered on 1 February 2014, in the Addo Elephant National Park. The pilot was 1 fatality.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the flight paths, meteorological data, and the cockpit environment of both aircraft. The investigation established that the aircraft involved were operating under visual flight rules (VFR) and possessed limited instrumentation. The pilot of ZU-ZOZ relied on aeronautical maps and a magnetic compass, while the pilot of ZUTZT utilized a portable GPS and an iPad.
Investigators reviewed the sequence of weather changes, noting that the pilots encountered heavy rain and low cloud bases. The investigation also looked into the physiological effects of flying in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) without proper instrumentation, specifically focusing on how the pilot's perception of the aircraft's attitude might have been compromised by the lack of a stable visual horizon.