What happened
On the morning of 13 January 2024, a private surveillance flight departing from Riverside Private Airfield in Mpumalanga ended in an aircraft accident. The flight, operated under Part 94 regulations, involved a Bat Hawk microlight, registration ZU-IWX, carrying a pilot and one passenger. The mission was intended to be a routine flight toward Malalane, returning to the departure airfield.
While flying along the southern boundary of the Kruger National Park, the pilot observed an elephant near the Crocodile River. In an effort to observe the animal, the pilot reduced engine power. During the subsequent maneuver to turn and regain altitude, the aircraft encountered trees in its flight path. Despite applying maximum throttle and attempting to pull up, the aircraft lost speed and descended into a sugarcane plantation. The aircraft slid 16 metres from the initial point of impact, resulting in substantial damage to the propeller and undercarriage frame, though both occupants escaped without injury.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and the pilot's flight actions to determine the sequence of events. Post-accident assessments of the ZU-IWX revealed that the engine and mechanical systems were in good working order, and the aircraft still contained fuel. Evidence from the propeller indicated it was rotating at high speed at the moment of impact, suggesting the engine was producing power during the descent. Additionally, the condition of the undercarriage, which showed cracked components and bent axles, indicated the aircraft struck the ground with high vertical speed.
Findings
- The pilot reduced engine power while flying at a low altitude to observe wildlife.
- In an attempt to clear trees, the pilot pulled back on the control column, which caused the aircraft to lose forward airspeed.
- The investigation concluded that the microlight likely stalled due to the loss of airspeed during the maneuver.
- The pilot lacked sufficient altitude to recover the aircraft from the stall before impacting the ground.