What happened
On the afternoon of 2 January 2023, a Sling 4 TSi aircraft, registration ZU-PPA, departed from Tedderfield Aerodrome for a private flight. The flight, operated under Part 94 regulations, was intended to be a short trip returning to the same airfield. However, while flying near Bass Lake, the aircraft was observed descending toward the water from a south-easterly direction.
During the approach, the aircraft's tail section and main landing gear struck the water surface. In an attempt to avoid an approaching mountainous ridge, the pilot pulled the aircraft into a steep, nearly vertical climb. This aggressive maneuver caused a significant loss of airspeed, leading to a second impact with the water. The aircraft subsequently entered a stall, causing the right wing to drop and the plane to impact the lake in a nose-down attitude. The aircraft sank rapidly, and two fatalities were recorded.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID examined the flight path, aircraft maintenance records, and pilot experience. Investigators utilized data from the aircraft's Garmin G3X Touch Electronic Flight Instrument System and analyzed the pilot's flight history. The inquiry established that the aircraft had recently undergone maintenance in South Africa and was being flown in a manner that deviated from standard safety protocols. Witnesses at the scene reported seeing the occupants in the cockpit before the final impact, and the investigation noted that the aircraft's fuel leaked into the lake following the crash.
Findings
- The pilot performed a maneuver that caused the landing gear and tail to strike the water.
- To avoid terrain, the pilot pitched the nose up, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- The pilot operated the aircraft at a height of less than 500 feet over water, violating safety regulations.
- The maneuver was conducted in a confined area, which was unsuitable for such low-level flight.
- The pilot's actions demonstrated poor airmanship and a disregard for the safe operation of the aircraft.