What happened
On the afternoon of 1 January 2022, a Bushbaby Explorer, registration ZU-ERK, departed from Lunsklip Fisheries for a flight to a private airstrip in the Potlo/spruit area of Mpumalanga. The flight was being conducted under visual flight rules as a private operation.
During the takeoff roll on Runway 11, the pilot noted that all instruments appeared normal. However, after rotation, the aircraft failed to establish a positive rate of climb. In an attempt to maintain airspeed and clear nearby power lines and high ground, the pilot lowered the nose. This maneuver resulted in a continuous decay of airspeed and a loss of lift. As the aircraft ran out of runway, the pilot attempted to turn right toward lower ground but encountered a significant downdraft. This forced the pilot to execute an emergency landing into a patch of two-meter-high shrubs on the right side of the runway. The impact resulted in two injuries and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation reviewed the pilot's credentials, noting a valid Private Pilot Licence and a current medical certificate. The aircraft's maintenance records showed that the last mandatory periodic inspection had been completed approximately 63 flight hours prior to the accident, and the aircraft was within its weight and balance limits for the flight.
Investigators examined the airfield environment, noting that the runway is located adjacent to mountainous terrain. The investigation focused on the aerodynamic conditions present during the departure sequence and the impact of the local topography on flight stability.