Accident Sequence
On 21 April 2022 at approximately 0800Z, a pilot departed from Runway 09 at Die Eike Private Farm Airstrip, located 7 km west of Standerton, Mpumalanga Province, in a Cessna T210N Centurion (registration ZS-TCG). The private flight was conducted under Part 91 of the Civil Aviation Regulations, with an intended destination of Wonderboom Aerodrome (FAWB) in Gauteng Province, where the aircraft was scheduled for maintenance.
During the climb, at about 500 feet above ground level (AGL), the pilot retracted the landing gear. After leveling off at approximately 700 feet AGL, he retracted the flaps. Subsequently, he reduced manifold pressure to 30 inches of mercury and engine rpm by retarding the throttle, at which point the engine power dropped drastically. The pilot attempted to correct the fault but was unsuccessful.
Surveying the area, he opted to turn left and return to the departure airstrip, which was about 2.7 km away. However, the aircraft lost significant height, and the pilot identified a gravel road on a private farm, located between two recently irrigated cultivated fields, for a forced landing.
After touchdown, during the landing roll, the left main landing gear collided with a rock and broke off. The left wing dropped, causing the left aileron to contact the ground and break off. The aircraft veered left off the gravel road into the cultivated area. The nose gear collapsed, and the propeller blades struck the ground. The aircraft slid to a stop approximately 40 meters from the initial touchdown point, facing northeast. The aircraft was substantially damaged; the pilot was not injured.
Post-Accident Examination
The aircraft was recovered to an aircraft maintenance organization at FAWB for inspection. Post-accident examination of the engine revealed no abnormalities. A test run was conducted, and the engine started without difficulty, meeting all parameters prescribed in the Lycoming Engine Manual. An additional test involving excessive leaning of the fuel mixture resulted in engine power loss.
The aircraft was equipped with a turbocharging system. According to the Cessna T210N Pilot's Operating Handbook, the pilot should not reduce power until wing flaps and landing gear have been retracted—a sequence the pilot followed.
Pilot and Aircraft Information
The pilot, aged 41, held a valid Private Pilot License issued on 12 March 2018, with a Class 2 medical certificate valid until 23 August 2023. He had accumulated 212.15 total flying hours, including 14.7 hours on the Cessna T210N type. His conversion to the type began on 21 May 2021 and was completed on 11 February 2022. The aircraft had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness issued on 1 March 2022 and had accumulated 3342.5 total airframe hours at the time of the accident.