A farmer died when his small aircraft crashed at his property near Kalkrand last month. Johannes Spangenberg lacked proper pilot credentials and aircraft registration at the time of the fatal accident. Investigators found no records showing he held a valid pilot license or medical certificate. The aircraft also operated without official approval from aviation authorities. Officials discovered the plane had flown approximately 10 hours before the crash without meeting legal requirements.
Spangenberg and his son took off from Farm Grass around 8:10 that Saturday morning. The pair spotted a jackal on the ground about 15 minutes after departure. His son attempted to shoot the animal twice but missed both shots. The pilot turned the aircraft toward the target but realized the distance was excessive at 60 meters altitude. Spangenberg became unresponsive during this maneuver and the plane struck the ground.
The impact killed Spangenberg immediately and caused minor injuries to his son. Ground evidence shows the aircraft hit terrain and rolled forward before striking nearby bushes. The plane rotated 340 degrees and came to rest on its side. Flight records indicate the aircraft had accumulated 75.4 total flying hours.
Similar crashes have occurred previously with unlicensed pilots. Two people died in a 2020 gyrocopter accident when the pilot flew with an expired license. Another unlicensed pilot died in a 2023 glider crash at Rehoboth. Aviation officials continue investigating the recent incident.
Spangenberg and his son took off from Farm Grass around 8:10 that Saturday morning. The pair spotted a jackal on the ground about 15 minutes after departure. His son attempted to shoot the animal twice but missed both shots. The pilot turned the aircraft toward the target but realized the distance was excessive at 60 meters altitude. Spangenberg became unresponsive during this maneuver and the plane struck the ground.
The impact killed Spangenberg immediately and caused minor injuries to his son. Ground evidence shows the aircraft hit terrain and rolled forward before striking nearby bushes. The plane rotated 340 degrees and came to rest on its side. Flight records indicate the aircraft had accumulated 75.4 total flying hours.
Similar crashes have occurred previously with unlicensed pilots. Two people died in a 2020 gyrocopter accident when the pilot flew with an expired license. Another unlicensed pilot died in a 2023 glider crash at Rehoboth. Aviation officials continue investigating the recent incident.
