Accident Overview
A single-engine aircraft departed from Johannesburg-Rand Airport and entered an initial climb. Shortly after liftoff, the aircraft nosed up and entered an aerodynamic stall. The aircraft subsequently collided with overhead power cables and crashed, erupting into flames upon impact. The aircraft was completely destroyed, and all three persons on board were killed.
Investigation Findings
An official investigation determined that the crew failed to prepare the flight according to published procedures. Specifically, cargo inside the cabin was not properly secured. After liftoff, the unsecured cargo shifted, causing a sudden change in the aircraft's center of gravity. This shift resulted in an uncontrollable nose-up attitude, leading to a stall at an altitude too low for recovery. The aircraft then descended into power lines and the ground.
Aftermath
The crash site was located near the airport. Emergency responders arrived to find the aircraft engulfed in flames. The wreckage was extensively damaged, precluding any survival. The investigation did not identify any mechanical or engine failure as contributing factors; the cause was attributed solely to the failure to secure the cargo.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause states: "The crew failed to prepare the flight according to published procedures as the cargo was not properly secured in the cabin and shifted after liftoff, causing the aircraft to stall and crash."