What happened
On 2 July 2021, a Tecnam P-2004 Bravo, registration ZU-EPT, departed from a grass runway at Syringa Sands Airstrip in Limpopo Province. The flight was a private operation intended for Eagles Creek Aerodrome in Gauteng. During the take-off roll on runway 07, the pilot reached a rotation speed of approximately 60 knots. Immediately after becoming airborne, the pilot observed the left wing dip. Unsure of the cause, the pilot elected to reject the take-off and attempted to land back on the same runway.
During the subsequent landing attempt, the aircraft overran the runway surface and came to a stop in a nearby wetland, roughly 120 meters beyond the end of the runway. The impact with the rugged, thick grass terrain caused substantial damage to the left wing and both the upper and lower fuselage. Additionally, all three landing gear components broke off during the excursion. The pilot and passenger were able to exit the aircraft without assistance and sustained no injuries.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the flight, noting that no flight plan had been filed for the trip. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was within its maximum take-off weight limits, weighing 579kg against a maximum allowable 600kg. Technical inspections of the engine and airframe revealed no pre-existing mechanical defects or failures; the engine was found to be in good condition following a teardown inspection.
Investigators also reviewed weather data. While the pilot believed a crosswind might have caused the wing drop, official South African Weather Service reports indicated much calmer conditions, with a negligible crosswind component. The investigation also noted that the pilot was primarily monitoring the airspeed indicator during the critical rotation phase.