History of the Flight
On 7 September 2021, a Cessna 172M registered as 9J-GRO, operated by Niner Julliet Logistics, departed Nkamba Bay between 08:00 and 09:00 local time. The flight was a chartered mission for a foreign Private Pilot Licence holder building hours toward a Zambian PPL. On board were two pilots and one passenger. The aircraft made a brief stop at Mulembo airstrip to top up oil, then proceeded to Masebe airstrip (Masebe Ranch), where it refueled with approximately eighty litres of Avgas.
At about 13:45 local time, the aircraft began its takeoff from Masebe to Lusaka. According to pilot and witness statements, lift-off occurred slightly before the windsock. The pilot in the right seat observed that the pitch attitude was high and the aircraft was not climbing sufficiently. The right-seat pilot assumed control and attempted corrective measures, but the aircraft was already at low altitude, low speed, and losing lift. It veered to the right, struck trees, and came to rest on the ground, offset to the right of the takeoff path, approximately 450 meters from the threshold of runway 28. The occupants evacuated with injuries; Masebe Ranch personnel provided first aid and arranged transport to a nearby clinic. No post-crash fire occurred.
Injuries and Damage
All three occupants survived. The two pilots sustained minor injuries. The passenger's injury status was not specified. The aircraft was extensively damaged and deemed beyond economic repair. Damage included a collapsed nose section, detached propeller and nose landing gear, displaced instrument panel, a detached left control yoke, and bent engine controls. The wings sustained damage, particularly the right side.
Aircraft Information
The Cessna 172M (serial number 172-66548) was a single-engine aircraft with a Lycoming O-320-E2D engine and fixed-pitch propeller. It had dual controls. The Certificate of Airworthiness was issued on 2 September 2021, and the aircraft was confirmed airworthy. The pilot-in-command held a South African PPL with Zambian validation and had 53.5 total hours on piston singles. The safety pilot held a Zambian CPL with 1,231.15 hours on single-engine aircraft.
Probable Cause
The investigation team concluded that the accident was caused by human factors. Other possible contributory and latent factors were identified.