Powerline caused fatal Outjo plane crash, probe finds

It has been established that well-known Outjo farmer Chris Coetzee was trying to avoid a powerline during take-off from a district gravel road but lost control of his aircraft when he had a fatal plane crash last October.This is according to information contained in a final report by the Directorate of Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigations.The 75-year-old Coetzee was seriously injured on 8 October 2021 after his Cessna 172 aircraft fell shortly after take-off on the farm Zuckhof-West and he died of his injuries later in hospital. He was inspecting the impact of veld fires currently raging in the area.Coetzee spoke to his farmworkers about where the fires were still burning before take-off and was stressed about the situation.According to the report, the Cessna Skyhawk 172 with registration V5-MPL took off from the gravel road at the farm with only Coetzee on board.“The intention was to fly back to his other farm 20km east, after doing some fire spotting in the area.”The report said during take-off, while trying to avoid powerlines, Coetzee lost control and crashed next to the road near his farmhouse. The aircraft was destroyed during the crash.Wanted to helpAccording to the report, farmworkers who saw the aircraft depart rushed to the scene where they helped Coetzee out of the wreckage. He was transported to the Otjiwarongo hospital.“The weather at the time of the accident was CAVOK (cloud and visibility OK) with light winds,” the report read.It added that Coetzee was the holder of a private pilot licence, and his medical certificate was also valid at the time of the accident. The aircraft’s flight folio and maintenance records did not reveal any recent problems and was serviceable at the time of the accident.“The pilot did not file a flight plan for his short ferry back to his other farm 20km east of the take-off point. He did use the district and gravel road for the landing and take-off under the presumption that the fire situation merits it as he was helping other farmers with fire teams as to the whereabouts of more fires.”The Namibian Civil Aviation Regulation makes provision for pilots to make use of public roads in case of an emergency.ellanie@namibiansun.com

Powerline caused fatal Outjo plane crash, probe finds

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Namibian Sun 2026-07-14

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Powerline caused fatal Outjo plane crash, probe finds

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Namibian Sun 2026-07-14

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