History of Flight
On Friday, 26 August 2016, the pilot and a passenger departed Nelspruit Aerodrome in a Cessna C182Q (ZS-PHB) on a private flight to a lodge approximately 80 km southwest of Nelspruit. The aircraft was refueled to capacity before departure. After landing at the lodge, the pilot and passenger spent the night. The following morning, at about 1025Z, the pilot, the same passenger, and the lodge manager took off for a scenic flight.
A witness observed the aircraft shortly after takeoff from about 850 m away. The aircraft appeared to be struggling to climb at an estimated height of 30 ft above ground. The engine sounded strained. The aircraft then turned right, and the witness heard a loud bang and saw smoke. He rushed to the scene and found all three occupants in the aircraft, which was destroyed by impact and post-impact fire.
Another witness, a security guard, heard an unusual engine noise and a bang, then saw smoke.
The accident site was approximately 360 m from the end of runway 06, at GPS coordinates 25°54'20.85"S 30°16'10.57"E, elevation 4784 ft AMSL.
Injuries and Damage
The three occupants sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post-impact fire. No other damage was reported.
Personnel Information
The pilot, a 39-year-old male, held a Private Pilot Licence with a type endorsement for the Cessna C182Q. His medical certificate had expired on 30 July 2016, rendering his licence invalid per CAR Part 61.01.6. His total flying experience was approximately 341.8 hours, with 311.8 hours as pilot-in-command, based on a logbook copy from 2012 to 2014; the original logbook was not recovered.
Aircraft Information
The Cessna C182Q (serial number 182-67714) was manufactured in 1980. Its last mandatory periodic inspection was on 7 March 2016 at 3187.7 airframe hours. The total airframe hours at the time of the accident could not be determined because the flight folio was destroyed in the fire. The aircraft was equipped with a Continental IO-470-4 engine and a McCauley C2A34C204 propeller. All other documentation was found to be in order.
Fuel: The aircraft was refueled to capacity at Nelspruit (total usable fuel 211.98 L). The 45-minute flight to the lodge consumed about 22.7 L, leaving approximately 189.28 L. No refueling facilities were available at the lodge. Two 25-liter Jerry cans of fuel were found at the accident site; no evidence indicated they were used before the flight.
Aircraft load: The maximum takeoff weight was 2950 lbs; the empty weight (from a 2015 report) was 1909.53 lbs. The calculated operating weight for the accident flight exceeded the maximum allowable weight, based on three occupants, fuel, and two Jerry cans (total 50 kg). The exact baggage weight was unknown.
Meteorological Information
Surface wind: 050°/8 kt; temperature: 24°C; dew point: -5°C; CAVOK. The density altitude at the field elevation (4784 ft) was elevated due to the high temperature.
Probable Cause
The likely cause of the accident is that the aircraft was poorly configured, taking into account the density altitude and the effect on performance of the aircraft, which led to a stall shortly after takeoff.
Contributing factor: The high-density altitude would have had an impact on the aircraft engine’s performance as well as the lift.