What happened
On the afternoon of 8 June 2025, a Piper PA-28-180, registration ZS-CZU, was part of a three-aircraft formation flying from Virginia Aerodrome toward Ladysmith. After attempting to land at Ladysmith—which lacks runway lighting—the crew of ZS-CZU and another aircraft diverted to Greytown Aerodrome.
As the flight progressed into the evening, the crew encountered thick mist and instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Unable to locate the runway lights at Greytown and facing low fuel reserves, the pilot flying decided to execute a spiral descent into a sugarcane field. The aircraft sustained substantial damage upon impact, though the dense crops helped the aircraft remain upright. The pilot-in-command sustained minor injuries to her face, while the pilot flying remained uninjured.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID established that the crew was operating under significant limitations. While the pilot-in-command held a night rating, the pilot flying did not. Furthermore, landing at Greytown at night requires pilots to be instrument flight (IF) rated, a requirement neither crew member met.
The investigation also noted that the pilot flying performed the emergency descent without informing the pilot-in-command of his specific intentions. While the pilot-in-command used an iPad and mobile applications to monitor terrain and weather, the official source of the weather data used was unverified. The aircraft's impact site was located approximately 3 nautical miles southwest of Greytown, near high-tension power lines.
Findings
- The pilot flying was not type-rated on the Piper PA-28-180, having only previous experience in a Cessna 172.
- The crew encountered instrument meteorological conditions that obscured all visual references to the ground.
- The pilot flying initiated a controlled crash landing without communicating the maneuver to the pilot-in-command.
- The pilots lacked the required instrument flight ratings necessary for night operations at the chosen diversion aerodrome.