History of Flight
On 16 October 2015 at 0418Z, the pilot departed Wonderboom Airport (FAWB) in a Beech Bonanza F33A, registration ZS-MRM, on a private flight with the intention to return to Wonderboom. The aircraft carried 5 hours of fuel. Part of the flight was recorded by an on-board VIRB action camera, which indicated the pilot intentionally flew in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) while the flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR). The aircraft impacted the plateau of a mountain with its belly in a slight left-wing-low attitude. After the pilot failed to report for duty and no contact was made, the South African Search and Rescue Organization initiated a search. The wreckage was located on 18 October 2015 at approximately 1430Z in the Motlatse Canyon Provincial Nature Reserve, near Erasmushoek close to Bourkes Luck Potholes, Graskop, Mpumalanga. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.
Injuries
The pilot sustained fatal injuries. No other persons were on board.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft was destroyed. Damage to the nature reserve was limited to vegetation.
Personnel Information
The pilot, a 22-year-old South African male, held a valid Commercial Pilot License with type endorsement, night rating, instrument rating, and multi-engine piston rating. His total flying hours were 225.3, but recent hours and hours on type were unknown. His logbook was unavailable; the last recorded flight renewal test was 10 December 2014.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Beech Bonanza F33A, serial number CE-1484, manufactured in 1990 by Beech Aircraft Corporation. It had a total airframe time of 2302.2 hours at the time of the accident. The last annual inspection was on 16 October 2014 at 2205.8 hours. The engine was a Lycoming O-360-A1F6, and the propeller a Hartzell HC-F2YR-1F. The aircraft had 216 litres (57 gallons) of fuel remaining, within limits. Weight and balance calculations showed a take-off weight of 3077 lbs, 423 lbs below the maximum of 3500 lbs.
Meteorological Information
Satellite imagery indicated a high pressure system pushing moisture and low clouds into eastern and north-eastern South Africa, with IFR conditions lasting most of the day. Surface observations showed overcast layers with cloud bases around 1000-2000 feet above ground, rising to 2000 feet later. Cloud tops reached approximately 7200 feet mean sea level. The accident site was at 5207 feet elevation, and the escarpment was covered in low clouds.
Aids to Navigation
The aircraft had approved navigational aids, including a Garmin Aera 500 GPS, but the track log was switched off. An Apple tablet used for navigation was destroyed in the accident.
Communications
The aircraft had approved communication equipment with no reported defects.
Accident Site
The accident occurred at coordinates S24° 40.267 E030° 54.720 at 5207 feet elevation within Motlatse Canyon Provincial Nature Reserve.
Probable Cause
The probable cause, as determined by the investigation, was the pilot’s disregard of safe flying procedures while flying in low lying clouds and misjudgement of the aircraft’s proximity to terrain, resulting in a controlled flight into terrain. A contributory factor was intentional flying in IMC during a VFR flight.