History of Flight
On the evening of 26 August 2020 at approximately 1540Z, a Cessna 172F aircraft registered ZS-OET departed from Springs Aerodrome (FASI) for a night training flight conducted under Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations. On board were a flight instructor in the right front seat and a private pilot serving as pilot flying (PF) in the left front seat. The training was part of the PF's night rating. Runway 03 was in use due to a north‑westerly surface wind of 3 knots.
According to the flight instructor interviewed on 27 November 2020, he was not originally scheduled for the flight but took over after the assigned instructor fell ill. A witness flight instructor, flying another aircraft (ZS‑ISI) at the same aerodrome, reported that two circuits were completed uneventfully. During the third circuit, the accident occurred. The witness stated that after he and his student performed a full‑stop landing, he broadcast his intention to backtrack on the runway and exited to the taxiway. From there he observed ZS‑OET on a glide approach for Runway 03, appearing low behind a tree with its landing light on. He then saw the aircraft strike the tree and crash within the aerodrome perimeter. He taxied to the apron, shut down, and notified emergency services and flight school management. No distress or Mayday call was heard from ZS‑OET. Runway lights were serviceable and switched on.
Another aircraft (ZS‑PED) from the same training organisation had departed Runway 03 and was routing toward the HGV beacon when they learned of the accident. Their instructor was later instructed to divert to Rand Aerodrome for landing.
CCTV Evidence
Three closed‑circuit television cameras positioned at the aerodrome, facing west toward the runway, captured the flight. One camera outside the ATO hangar showed the aircraft on left downwind for Runway 03, descending, but did not record the impact. The other two cameras recorded the aircraft on a left downwind, flying lower than the prescribed circuit height, then turning left base. Shortly after the turn, the left wing struck a large tree. Following impact, the aircraft completed a full 360° left roll while still airborne before impacting terrain in an upright position.
Injuries and Damage
The aircraft was destroyed during the accident sequence. The flight instructor sustained serious injuries, and the private pilot (PF) suffered fatal injuries. All damage to the aircraft was attributed to the accident sequence; the engine and aircraft systems were found to have no pre‑impact defects.
Meteorological Information
At the time of the accident, the weather at Springs Aerodrome was CAVOK with surface wind 320°/3 kt, temperature 22°C, dew point -2°C.
Probable Cause
The left wing of the aircraft impacted a tree while turning left base for Runway 03 and the pilot (PF) lost control of the aircraft. Contributing factors were the crew's deviation from the ATO training procedures by not flying at the prescribed circuit height, and inadequate in‑flight supervision by the instructor during the night circuit training flight.