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2022 Jabiru SP Accident on R104 Provincial Road (ZU-CIA)

On R104 provincial road, ZA

On April 27, 2022, a Jabiru SP (registration ZU-CIA) was involved in an aviation accident near On R104 provincial road, ZA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: An engine stoppage occurred in-flight due to the failure of the crankshaft gear. The pilot executed a forced landing on a provincial road (R104), and shortly after touchdown, the left wing collided with a road sign pole which caused the aircraft to… This summary draws on records from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Accident and Incident Investigations Division.

Sourcesthe South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Accident and Incident Investigations DivisionPrimary reportUpdated 2026-10-18Data APIEditorial standards

A Jabiru SP (ZU-CIA) suffered an in-flight engine stoppage on 27 April 2022, forcing a landing on the R104 road. The crash was attributed to crankshaft gear failure from hydrogen embrittlement.

Accident Overview and Flight History On 27 April 2022, a Jabiru SP aircraft with registration ZU-CIA departed from Rhino Park Aerodrome in Gauteng Province at 0724Z. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and a passenger on a private flight intended to land at Witbank Aerodrome (FAWI) in Mpumalanga Province. The flight was conducted under Part 94 of the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2011. While en route at an altitude of 6,500 feet, the engine experienced a sudden malfunction and stopped. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful, leading to a decision to execute a forced landing on the R104 provincial road, located 10 nautical miles west of Witbank Aerodrome. The accident occurred at 0748Z. During the landing roll, the outer section of the left wing struck a road sign pole, causing the aircraft to veer off the road and come to rest in a right-wing low attitude. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but no injuries were reported among the occupants.

Probable cause

An engine stoppage occurred in-flight due to the failure of the crankshaft gear. The pilot executed a forced landing on a provincial road (R104), and shortly after touchdown, the left wing collided with a road sign pole which caused the aircraft to ground-loop and veer off the road.
Engine failure

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 27 Apr 2022 Jabiru SP accident near On R104 provincial road, ZA?

A Jabiru SP (ZU-CIA) suffered an in-flight engine stoppage on 27 April 2022, forcing a landing on the R104 road. The crash was attributed to crankshaft gear failure from hydrogen embrittlement.

Were there any fatalities in the 27 Apr 2022 Jabiru SP accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 27 Apr 2022 involved a Jabiru SP, registration ZU-CIA, at On R104 provincial road, ZA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

An engine stoppage occurred in-flight due to the failure of the crankshaft gear. The pilot executed a forced landing on a provincial road (R104), and shortly after touchdown, the left wing collided with a road sign pole which caused the aircraft to ground-loop and veer off the road.

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