History of the Flight
On 27 February 2022, a Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six, registration 9J-RDN, operated by Taurus Aviation, departed Siandunda Airstrip in the Livingstone Control Zone at 07:15 hours local time. The aircraft carried one pilot and three passengers. After a scenic flight around Mulobezi district, it landed at Mulobezi Airstrip at about 08:10 hours. The pilot and passengers conducted business at Taurus Sawmills before returning to the airstrip around 13:00 hours.
At about 13:30 hours local time, the aircraft commenced takeoff from runway 03 with flaps set to 25 degrees and full power. During initial climb, the engine experienced rough running. The pilot switched fuel tanks in an attempt to rectify the problem and informed the passengers of engine trouble. The engine then failed completely. Due to low altitude, the pilot did not attempt a restart and instead looked for a landing area. The aircraft veered left, crashed approximately 652 meters from the threshold of Mulobezi Airstrip, and came to rest inverted opposite its final flight path.
Injuries to Persons
All four occupants survived the accident. The passengers sustained minor injuries and evacuated the aircraft without external assistance.
Damage to the Aircraft
The aircraft was extensively damaged and deemed beyond economical repair. Specific damage included detachment of the nose landing gear and the right main landing gear from the airframe, and structural damage to the right wing, fuselage, and engine mount.
Cause of the Accident
The investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was the pilot's inadequate training on both the technical and operational requirements of the aircraft type.