Impalila plane exceeded weight limit

The aircraft that crashed in the Zambezi River in August last year after taking off from the Impalila Island airstrip, killing all five people onboard, exceeded its weight limit, an investigation has determined.

A German family and a South African pilot died in the crash. They were identified as Thomas Rings (59), his wife Evelyn Rings (57), and daughters Alicia Maria Rings (19) and Paulina Lucia Rings (17).

The pilot was identified as Nicole Minnie.

According to the Aircraft Accident Investigation final report issued by the Directorate of Aircraft Accident Investigations, on 30 August 2022, a Cessna C210 aircraft with registration V5 LMK departed from Eros airport in Windhoek for Impalila Island at about 05:55.

Over the limit

The aircraft was fuelled for a flight time of seven hours and 30 minutes.

The flight was booked to pick up four passengers from Impalila Island and return them to Eros via Rundu.

Rundu was a technical stop for fuel, as noted by the report.

The passengers were ready when the aircraft landed at the Impalila Island airstrip at about 09:43 that morning.

"The landing was not stable because it ballooned before it came to a stop and switched off at the end of the runway (Threshold 28)."

While the passengers were boarding, the pilot determined that their luggage was too heavy and offloaded two bags.

Minnie reportedly conferred with the runway operator to make arrangements for the bags to be picked up and explained that the bags were too heavy as the tail of the aircraft was almost touching the ground.

Fatal accident

According to the report, the aircraft departed the runway but crashed into the Zambezi River shortly afterwards, and all occupants were fatally injured.

The report said after take-off, the pilot made an early left turn; the aircraft inclined sharply and veered off to the left. It thereafter rolled further to the left.

"The left wing was pointing 90 degrees downwards and clipped a tree next to the river; thereafter, the aircraft crashed into the river, where the right wing impacted the water first, followed by the nose section of the aircraft."

The impact caused the engine and propeller to break free from the fuselage.

The aircraft came to a stop in an upright position facing south, with the tail section protruding out of the water.

Crash site

It was very difficult to reach the crash site due to leaking fuel and vegetation and because there was no boat available.

A boat was eventually procured from an eyewitness who stayed close to the crash site.

According to the report, rescuers cut a hole on top of the aircraft between the wings to gain access to the cabin.

All occupants were found strapped in their safety harnesses but had been fatally injured.

It was found that the aircraft took off from Impalila Island with about 34kg more than the aircraft's maximum take-off weight, which is 3 800 pounds – 1 723.6 kg.

Valid papers

Findings show that the pilot held a valid commercial pilot licence and a medical certificate valid until September 2022. The pilot had flown a total of 310 hours, of which 82 hours were on the aircraft type at the time of the accident.

"By analysing the information obtained during the investigation and the landing manoeuvre made by the pilot during the landing phase, it shows that the pilot was having difficulty landing at the airstrip. The evidence obtained during the investigation shows that was due to a lack of experience, no briefing and non-familiarisation of the airstrip."

The aircraft was issued a certificate of airworthiness, which expired on 16 February this year. It was airworthy, without any defects reported prior to the accident, the report found.

The report further said the data gathered concluded that the aircraft had stalled and then crashed.