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Cessna 182E Skylane ZS-CUU Accident on Mariepskop Mountain

On the peak of Mariepskop Mountain, ZA

On March 4, 2021, a Cessna 182E Skylane (registration ZS-CUU) was involved in an aviation accident near On the peak of Mariepskop Mountain, ZA. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Uncontrolled flight into terrain due to the pilot’s loss of consciousness. This summary draws on records from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Accident and Incident Investigations Division.

Sourcesthe South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Accident and Incident Investigations DivisionPrimary reportUpdated 2026-10-18Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered ZS-CUU
Aircraft registered ZS-CUU. Photo: Bob Adams from Amanzimtoti, South Africa / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

On 4 March 2021, a Cessna 182E Skylane (ZS-CUU) crashed into Mariepskop Mountain in South Africa. The pilot, who reported feeling unwell, was fatally injured. The probable cause was uncontrolled flight into terrain due to loss of consciousness.

Accident Overview and Flight History On the morning of 4 March 2021, a Cessna 182E Skylane with registration ZS-CUU departed from Tzaneen Aerodrome (FATZ) in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The aircraft was being operated by Fountain Square Trading 235 CC for a private flight to Nelspruit Aerodrome (FANS). The pilot, who held a Commercial Pilot Licence and had 1,565.2 total flying hours, conducted a pre-flight inspection before taking off from Runway 06 at approximately 0621Z. Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft had 190 litres of Avgas LL100 fuel remaining in its tanks at the time of departure.

Probable cause

Uncontrolled flight into terrain due to the pilot’s loss of consciousness.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 4 Mar 2021 Cessna 182E Skylane accident near On the peak of Mariepskop Mountain, ZA?

On 4 March 2021, a Cessna 182E Skylane (ZS-CUU) crashed into Mariepskop Mountain in South Africa. The pilot, who reported feeling unwell, was fatally injured. The probable cause was uncontrolled flight into terrain due to loss of consciousness.

Were there any fatalities in the 4 Mar 2021 Cessna 182E Skylane accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 4 Mar 2021 involved a Cessna 182E Skylane, registration ZS-CUU, at On the peak of Mariepskop Mountain, ZA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Uncontrolled flight into terrain due to the pilot’s loss of consciousness.

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