What happened
On the morning of Saturday, 24 August 1996, a Jodel D11, registration ZK-EJP, was performing a local flight. As the flight was concluding, the aircraft approached its home farm airstrip and initiated a go-around. During this maneuver, the aircraft's flight path dropped below its typical altitude. Observers noted the plane banking sharply to the left, appearing to attempt a landing on the airstrip or nearby paddocks. After a brief period of level flight, the aircraft rolled to the right and descended rapidly into a hillside.
The impact resulted in one fatality, as the pilot sustained fatal injuries. An injured passenger managed to exit the burning wreckage and was rescued by farm workers who had witnessed the crash.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the loss of control and the mechanical state of the aircraft. The inquiry focused on the aircraft's flight path, the engine's performance during the go-around, and the medical fitness of the pilot. The investigation looked into environmental factors, specifically conditions that could affect engine operation, as well as the pilot's known health status and its potential impact on flight safety.
Findings
Several factors likely contributed to the accident. The investigation identified that the aircraft may have suffered a loss of power stemming from an unidentified engine malfunction. Furthermore, atmospheric conditions were suitable for carburettor icing, which could have impacted engine reliability.
Crucially, the pilot was likely medically unfit to operate the aircraft. The pilot had a documented medical deficiency involving severe coronary artery disease, a condition that had already invalidated his CAA Medical Certificate. It is believed that pilot impairment or distraction caused by this underlying medical condition may have contributed to an inadvertent stall during the maneuver.