History of Flight
On 29 November 2018, a Cessna U206D aircraft registered ZS-DIV departed Nelspruit Aerodrome (FANS) in Mpumalanga Province on a private flight to Wonderboom Aerodrome (FAWB) in Gauteng Province. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) during daylight hours, and no flight plan was filed. On board were two pilots and three passengers. The pilot-in-command (PIC), a 49-year-old female with a Private Pilot Licence validation, occupied the left seat. The pilot monitoring (PM), who was instrument rated, occupied the right seat. The aircraft took off from Runway 22 at 90 knots indicated airspeed.
Approximately 20 to 30 minutes into the flight, at an altitude of 7,000 feet above mean sea level (AMSL), clouds developed around the aircraft. The PIC reduced altitude in an attempt to maintain visibility, inadvertently flying into a valley that was also covered in clouds. She executed a 180-degree turn to avoid the clouds but was unsuccessful. As she was not instrument rated, she handed control of the aircraft to the PM. However, the aircraft's height above ground was already low, and it impacted tree tops before crashing onto the ground. A post-impact fire erupted.
Injuries and Damage
The pilots and passengers sustained serious burn injuries. The PM suffered approximately 99% burn injuries and succumbed to these injuries on 1 December 2018, two days after the accident. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and the ensuing fire. All baggage on board was consumed by the fire.
Meteorological Conditions
At the time of the accident, overcast conditions prevailed. The South African Weather Service reported low-level clouds between Nelspruit and Belfast. At the accident site, the wind was from 90 degrees at 4 knots, temperature 17°C, dew point 11°C, visibility overcast with clouds at 1,500 feet.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies consistent with a pre-impact failure or malfunction. The investigation found that the PIC entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) at 7,000 feet AMSL. In attempting to maintain visibility, she reduced height and inadvertently entered a valley. After handing control to the PM, who was instrument rated, he was unable to clear the valley, resulting in impact with trees and terrain.