What happened
On the morning of 25 January 2024, a pilot conducting a proving flight in a Pioneer FlightStar microlight, registration ZU-VDD, crashed in a ploughed field near the Devondale private airstrip in the Northern Cape. The flight, which was intended to be a short circuit returning to the same airstrip, began under clear visual meteorological conditions.
Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft's engine unexpectedly ceased operation. While the pilot managed to restart the engine, the aircraft struggled to maintain sufficient forward momentum. Witnesses observed the aircraft performing erratic maneuvers, with the wings dipping significantly. The aircraft eventually entered a stall and impacted the ground nose-first, resulting in one fatality and substantial damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID revealed that the aircraft was not in an airworthy condition at the time of the accident. The aircraft was a home-built model that the pilot had assembled over a two-length period using various parts from different aircraft. Investigators found that the aircraft lacked essential documentation, including airframe and engine logbooks, an Authority to Fly, and a Certificate of Registration.
Technical examination of the wreckage indicated that the left aileron was improperly secured. Specifically, two pieces of required attaching hardware were missing, and the remaining hardware did not match the specifications outlined in the manufacturer's assembly manual. It is believed that this hardware failure likely occurred during the stall, further destabilizing the aircraft's flight path.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of forward airspeed, which led to a stall and subsequent crash following an engine power interruption.
- The pilot was operating with both an expired pilot licence and an expired medical certificate.
- Improper maintenance and assembly practices were evident, as the aircraft was not maintained according to manufacturer recommendations.
- There was a significant lack of maintenance records, including no evidence of recent annual inspections or proper assembly oversight.
- The engine was found to be operating at full power at the moment of impact.