Cessna 172N Accident in Heidelberg, South Africa (ZS-JYV)

Flight Details and Accident Sequence On 22 May 2014, a Cessna 172N with registration ZS-JYV departed Heidelberg Aerodrome (FAHG) in Gauteng Province, South Africa, for a private flight. The pilot, a 21-year-old private pilot, was accompanied by two student pilots. The flight was intended to accumulate hours toward a commercial pilot's license. During the flight, the aircraft was observed flying low in the general flying area. The pilot initiated a simulated forced landing while flying into the sun. While recovering from the maneuver, the aircraft struck high-tension wires at approximately 5.6 meters above ground level. The aircraft then impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude approximately 48 meters from the wires. The aircraft was destroyed in the impact sequence, and the propeller separated from the engine section. The occupants exited the wreckage and were assisted by farm employees before being transported to a hospital. All three occupants sustained serious injuries, with no fatalities reported. The accident site was located on the private farm Gelida Bellegings in the Heidelberg area, at GPS coordinates S 26°26.397, E 028°35.668, at an elevation of 5,375 feet. Meteorological conditions at the time included a temperature of 15°C, a dew point of 5°C, wind from 340° at 10 knots, and a QNH of 1,029 hPa. The investigation concluded that the pilot became complacent due to familiarity with the area, and low flying combined with flying into the sun prevented the pilot from seeing the high-tension wires. Contributory factors included failure to look out and poor technique.