ZS-NJX AND ZU-MMI MOUNTAIN CRASH
SA Flyer Magazine|September 2022
AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT
ZS-NJX AND ZU-MMI MOUNTAIN CRASH
  • This discussion is to promote safety and not to establish liability.
  • The CAA's report contains padding and repetition, so in the interest of clarity, I have paraphrased extensively.

Aircraft registration: ZS-NJX and ZU-MMI

Date and time of accident: 14 August 2011 08:30Z

Type of aircraft: Piaggio P166 Albatrosses

Type of operation: Private

PIC license type: Commercial and PPL

License valid: Yes

PIC age: 61 and 57

PIC total hours: 4286 and 2893

PIC hours on type: Unknown

Last point of departure: Tzaneen Aerodrome

Next point of intended landing: Rand Airport - Gauteng

Location of accident site: About 45 km south-east of Tzaneen. 5030’ AMSL.

Meteorological information: Wind: 160°/03 Temp 14 ˚C

POB: 1+5; and 1+6

People injured: 0

People killed: 13

SYNOPSIS

Two aircraft, ZS-NJX and ZU-MMI, with 6 and 7 people on board respectively, took off from Tzaneen aerodrome on 14 August 2011 at approximately 0820Z, on private flights to Rand Airport. No flight plans were filed.

ZU-MMI took off first; it was followed shortly afterwards by ZS-NJX. The aircraft flew in formation with ZS-NJX leading.

A witness in the Lekgalametse Valley saw both aircraft flying over the valley before they disappeared into the thick, low clouds which covered the valley. He heard a loud bang moments afterwards.

The pilot of ZU-MMI did not have an instrument rating.

This story is from the September 2022 edition of SA Flyer Magazine.

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This story is from the September 2022 edition of SA Flyer Magazine.

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