Accident Details
On 8 October 2021 at 1230Z, a Jabiru J430 aircraft, registration ZU-EFW, departed on a private cross-country flight from George Airport (FAGG) in the Western Cape province, intending to land at John Weston Airfield (FAZR) in the Northern Cape province. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) by day and in accordance with Part 94 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 2011. A flight plan was filed. The aircraft carried a pilot and three passengers.
Pilot Information
The pilot, a 48-year-old male, held a valid Private Pilot Licence (PPL) with a total flying experience of 329.1 hours, including 82.7 hours on the Jabiru J430 type.
Occurrence
The flight en route was uneventful. During descent for Runway 02 at approximately 100 feet above ground level, the engine began to run rough. The pilot initiated a go-around due to livestock (cattle) on the runway. Full power was applied, achieving 3000 revolutions per minute (RPM), but the engine continued to run rough, though less severe than when power was below 2100 RPM. The pilot continued the circuit for a second landing attempt. On the base leg turn, as the aircraft began to descend, the engine stopped completely. The pilot considered there was sufficient glide distance to reach the runway and attempted to restart the engine without success. On final approach, approximately 330 metres from the threshold, a downdraft reduced the glide distance. The pilot prepared for a forced landing in an open area just before the runway threshold. During the forced landing, the right main landing gear strut broke off and the right wing tip impacted the ground. The aircraft came to rest with the right wing low. The right main landing gear strut was severed and the nose gear collapsed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the undercarriage, right wing, and right elevator. The pilot and passengers were not injured.
Post-Accident Inspection
A photograph taken by the pilot after the accident showed 39 litres of AVGAS remaining on the fuel gauge. Inspection of the engine revealed that both ignition coil leads had disconnected in-flight as a result of not being properly secured to cable ties. The last maintenance inspection had been conducted earlier on the same day, 8 October 2021. The aircraft was test run and met all parameters. It is probable that the Approved Person (AP) carrying out the maintenance reconnected both ignition coil leads but did not secure them with cable ties.
Probable Cause
The probable cause is that the aircraft lost forward speed, leading to loss of height and a hard impact with the ground during a forced landing after an engine stoppage in-flight caused by disconnected ignition coil leads.