What happened
On 26 March 2022, a Windlass Aquilla Trike, registration ZU-FCN, departed Groutville Airfield in KwaZulu-Natal for a scheduled pleasure flight. The aircraft, carrying a pilot and one passenger, was operating under Part 94 regulations with an intended return to the same airfield.
While cruising at approximately 1,000 feet above ground level, the engine began to sputter before eventually losing all power. Following several unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine, the pilot identified a patch of open ground near the beach as a landing site. The aircraft performed a forced landing on soft, wet sand near the Umvoti River Mouth. During the landing roll, the nose wheel sank into the sand, causing the aircraft to overturn. While the aircraft sustained substantial damage, there were no fatalities and no injuries were reported for the occupants.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators reviewed meteorological data from King Shaka International Aerodrome, which indicated conditions at the time of the accident were highly susceptible to icing. Specifically, the temperature and dewpoint readings showed a very low dewpoint depression of only 1°C. Analysis of carburetor icing probability charts confirmed that these atmospheric conditions were conducive to moderate icing during cruise power settings.
Additionally, the investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid National Pilot Licence with the appropriate microlight endorsement and a current medical certificate. The aircraft's Authority to Fly was also valid at the time of the occurrence.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was carburetor icing during the cruise phase of flight.
- The pilot failed to check the ambient temperature and dewpoint prior to departure, which would have identified the high risk of icing.
- The aircraft's overturn during the landing was caused by the nose wheel sinking into the soft, wet sand.