What happened
On 09 September 2006, a Piper PA28R-180, registration ZS-FVH, was performing a private flight from Ficksburg Aerodrome to Bethlehem Aerodrome. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and one passenger. During the takeoff roll on runway 08, the pilot configured the aircraft with 10 degrees of flaps and rotated at 85 mph.
As the aircraft began its climb, the indicated airspeed dropped, leading to a loss of lift. At an altitude of approximately 50 feet, the pilot lowered the nose to regain airspeed and altitude, maneuvering the aircraft into a valley beyond the runway overshoot area. The pilot initially attempted an emergency landing on a nearby gravel road but aborted the maneuver after spotting a vehicle on the road. To avoid high-tension wires, the pilot pulled the aircraft up and executed a forced landing in an open field. While there were no injuries to the occupants, the aircraft suffered damage to its propeller blades, wings, flaps, and landing gear.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the loss of airspeed and the subsequent forced landing. The investigation reviewed the pilot's credentials, noting a valid license and medical certificate, and confirmed the aircraft had undergone a mandatory periodic inspection earlier in 2006. The investigation also included an assessment of the aircraft's condition by the maintenance organization responsible for recovering the wreckage.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was that the fuel mixture was set too lean for takeoff.
- This lean mixture resulted in a significant reduction in engine power, which caused the airspeed to decay and the aircraft to lose lift during the initial climb.
- The weather conditions at the time of the incident were clear with a temperature of 20ºC and calm surface winds.