History of Flight
On 13 October 2016 at approximately 0915Z, a private pilot (PPL) and a passenger, both German nationals, departed from Manzengwenya airfield in KwaZulu-Natal on a private flight to Brakpan-Benoni aerodrome (FABB) in Gauteng. Before departure, the pilot asked a lodge chef to activate his GoPro camera during the pre-flight inspection and to wait at the airfield for about 30 minutes in case the flight turned back. At approximately 1010Z, while en route, the aircraft experienced an in-flight breakup in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) near Jozini dam, close to the Mozambique border. Witnesses reported hearing a loud noise and seeing debris falling from the sky. The aircraft impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude, and a post-impact fire destroyed the main wreckage and engine.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA-28-235, serial number 28-10906, manufactured in 1967 with registration ZS-FAI. It was powered by a Lycoming O-540-E4B5 engine and equipped with a Hartzell HC-C3YR-1RF propeller. The total airframe hours at the time of the accident were 7,830.0. The last mandatory periodic inspection (MPI) was conducted on 20 June 2016 at 7,794.0 hours. The certificate of airworthiness was valid until 7 August 2017. The aircraft was operating under Part 91 private operations.
Meteorological Information
According to the South African Weather Services, the weather at the accident site included drizzle, calm wind, a temperature of 17°C, and a cloud base at 1,800 feet AGL. Cloud cover was broken at 1,800 feet (BKN018). The visibility was characterized as IMC.
Pilot Information
The pilot, a 67-year-old German male, held a valid South African validation license and a German Private Pilot License (PPL). He had 619.0 total flying hours, all on the aircraft type, with 11.46 hours in the preceding 90 days. He was not in possession of an instrument rating. His medical certificate was valid with a restriction requiring corrective lenses. The pilot had no previous accidents.
Wreckage and Impact
The main wreckage, consisting of the engine and fuselage with the right wing attached, was found in the backyard of a homestead at coordinates (redacted). The left wing was located 584.03 meters away, the vertical stabilizer 412.78 meters away, and the horizontal stabilizer with part of the tail section 445.77 meters from the main wreckage. The fuselage impacted in a nose-down attitude, and a post-impact fire erupted.
Injuries
The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries in the accident sequence. No other persons were onboard.
Probable Cause
The pilot entered into IMC conditions and subsequently became disorientated and lost control of the aircraft. In an attempt to regain control the left wing separated due to upward static overload which led to an inflight break up.