Amateur-built RT13B accident near Mookgopong, Za, May 10, 2019
On May 10, 2019 at about 11:05 am local time, a amateur-built RT13B, registered ZUFUO, was destroyed in an accident during approach near Mookgopong (Mountain View Lodge airport). It was flown under rules the NTSB did not record. 2 people were killed.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 10, 2019 · about 11:05 am local time
- Place
- Mookgopong, South Africa · Mountain View Lodge · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RT13B
- Registration
- ZUFUO · no longer on the register · serial 38-78A0720
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight · rules the NTSB did not record
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On May 10, 2019, about 1105 Coordinated Universal time, a JM Kemp RT13B, South African registry ZU-FUO, was destroyed when it impacted a ridge north of the Mountain View Lodge Airport, near the town of Mookgopong, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The pilot and passenger received fatal injuries. According to information provided by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), the pilot and passenger took off from Volksrust airfield, Mpumalanga Province. The airplane approached the destination airfield from the west with the intention to initially overfly the landing strip in order to make sure it was clear of animals. The pilot then made a left turn to join the circuit, and the airplane struck the ridge. A post impact fire erupted and consumed the airplane. SACAA reported that the airplane was a modified Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk (serial number 38-780720), and that it was equipped with a Lycoming O-320-B1A engine (SN: L1364-55A). The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of South Africa. This report is for information purposes only and contains only information released by the Government of South Africa. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Civil Aviation Authority Accidents and Incidents Investigation Division Private Bag X 73 Halfway House 1685 South Africa Tel.: +27 0 11 545-1000 +27 0 83 461-6277 (24 hours) E-mail: mail@caa.co.za Fax: +27 0 11 545 1465 Website: http://www.caa.co.za
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Unknown or undetermined during approach defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Mookgopong
- Destination: Mookgopong
- Flight plan: not recorded
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.