Cessna 175B Crashes After Takeoff Stall at South African Private Aerodrome

Casualties unknown • Welgesind Wine Farm, Stanford, Western Cape, ZA

A commercial sightseeing flight ended in a crash near Stanford, Western Cape, after a pilot attempted a takeoff using a downwind runway, resulting in an aircraft stall and collision with powerlines.

What happened

On the afternoon of 17 July 2022, a Cessna 175B aircraft, registration ZS-CPO, was conducting a commercial air transport operation from Weltevrede Aerodrome, an unlicensed landing strip located on a private property near Stanford. The flight, operated by African Wings, was carrying a pilot and three passengers for a scheduled sightseeing excursion.

During the takeoff roll on Runway 11, the aircraft failed to gain sufficient speed before the pilot initiated rotation. As the aircraft left the ground, the stall warning horn activated and continued to sound throughout the remainder of the flight. The aircraft experienced a sharp left bank, veering toward mountainous terrain. While attempting to correct the attitude, the aircraft struck powerlines and plowed through several pine trees before coming to rest on a neighboring farm.

While the pilot escaped without injury, three passengers sustained injuries, including one person who required hospitalization for a serious head laceration. The aircraft suffered substantial damage.

The investigation

An investigation by the SACCA AIID examined the flight sequence, the aircraft's airworthiness, and the operational environment. Investigators reviewed cellular phone footage captured by a passenger, which documented the aircraft running out of runway and the subsequent stall warning. The inquiry also scrutinized the operator's administrative processes, noting that weight and balance calculations were performed electronically by the pilot and that no indemnity forms were issued to the passengers prior to departure.

Findings

  • The pilot performed a takeoff downwind, which prevented the aircraft from reaching the necessary rotation speed before the end of the runway.
  • The pilot prematurely rotated the aircraft, leading to an aerodynamic stall.
  • The aircraft's Certificate of Airworthiness was invalid at the time of the accident.
  • The pilot lacked sufficient experience for the operation.
  • The aerodrome was unsuitable for commercial operations due to poor infrastructure and a lack of regulatory oversight.
  • There were significant failures in maintenance practices and oversight by the regulator regarding the aircraft's airworthiness status.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the pilot attempting a takeoff in a downwind direction, which resulted in insufficient airspeed for rotation and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2022-07-17 Cessna 175B accident near Welgesind Wine Farm, Stanford, Western Cape, ZA?

A commercial sightseeing flight ended in a crash near Stanford, Western Cape, after a pilot attempted a takeoff using a downwind runway, resulting in an aircraft stall and collision with powerlines.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2022-07-17 involved a Cessna 175B, registration ZS-CPO, at Welgesind Wine Farm, Stanford, Western Cape, ZA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot attempting a takeoff in a downwind direction, which resulted in insufficient airspeed for rotation and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.

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