What happened
On the morning of 16 October 2015, a Beech Bonanza F30A, registration ZS-MRM, departed Wonderboom Airport for a private flight intended to return to the same aerodrome. During the flight, the aircraft entered the Motlatse Canyon Provincial Nature Reserve area near Graskop.
Footage from an onboard action camera revealed that the pilot navigated through low-lying clouds while operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The aircraft eventually struck a mountain plateau in a left-wing-low attitude. Following the pilot's failure to report for work, a search was launched by the South African Search and Rescue Organization, leading to the discovery of the wreckage on 18 October 2015. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and recovered data from an onboard VIRB action camera. The investigation established that the aircraft was within weight and balance limits and possessed sufficient fuel for the intended mission. The engine was found to be producing power at the moment of impact, as evidenced by propeller damage.
Analysis of the camera footage showed that the pilot made several unannounced changes to altitude and direction without notifying Air Traffic Control. Furthermore, the investigation found that when the aircraft entered Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), the pilot did not transition to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) or contact the Lowveld Area controller for instructions. The aircraft's GPS track log was unavailable as the feature had been disabled months prior.
Findings
- The aircraft was in a functional state with no mechanical defects contributing to the crash.
- Weather conditions featured low clouds that obscured mountain tops in the area.
- The pilot intentionally flew in IMC conditions while maintaining a VFR flight status.
- The accident was caused by the pilot's disregard for safe procedures and a misjudgment of terrain proximity, leading to controlled flight into terrain.