Near plane crash on farm in Maltahöhe district

Comm. Kobus Meyer, regional Police commander of Hardap, writes:
 
On the 22nd August 2010 a light aircraft, Piper PA 28 with registration number V 5 EYS, belonging to a certain Dr.Mathys from Swakopmund, was parked at the farm Urusis, Maltahohe area In the late afternoon, the pilot and three (3) passengers intended to take off for a sight seen flight at the farm.

The gravel airstrip with a running distance of 885 meters is situated on the farm. The pilot, Mr. Hanso Winkler, Namibian Citizen and the under-mentioned three passengers were onboard when the accident
occurred:

1. Ferdinand Johannes passport No. 559801138 from Germany
2. Ernst Wilfried Namibian citizen with ID 611129 00 284
3. Gerfried Happmann passport No. C 7 MPNFHJV from Germany

None of the occupants were injured, apart from some bruises; however the air craft is severely damaged.

According to the pilot, when they were travelling for a distance of
679 on the runway, he took off, and after a distance of about 52 meters in the air, he realized that the aircraft is not having enough power to lift of and he landed again. The distance to the end of the runway is 154 meters and the aircraft left the runway. About 35 meters from the end of the run way, the right rear wheel made contact with a heap of sand and swerved to the right where it came to a standstill.

Both wings and propeller sustained severe damages and is unable to fly from the farm and will It be removed by vehicle.

The Department of Aviation and Aircraft Investigation had been informed on the 22nd August 2010, but failed to locate the farm. I were then informed and arranged for the Scene of Crime Officer to accompany my on the morning of 23 August 2010 and escorted the Investigation team to the farm to conduct their investigation.