What happened
On 2 April 2024, a Cirrus SR22, registration ZS-ZZZ, departed Groutville Airfield in KwaZulu-Natal for a private flight to New Tempe Airfield in the Free State. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and three passengers under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC).
During the take-off roll on Runway 05, the pilot initiated a rotation by pulling back on the elevator control. However, the aircraft lifted off at an indicated airspeed of 70 knots, which was below the recommended 80 knots for standard operations and the 78 knots required for short-field procedures. Shortly after liftoff, the stall warning activated. The pilot attempted to correct the situation by pushing the control stick forward to regain airspeed, but the aircraft's response was sluggish. This resulted in a wing drop and subsequent impact with the runway surface. The impact caused the nose landing gear to collapse, the separation of the right main gear and engine mount, and the detachment of the empennage. While the aircraft was destroyed, there were no fatalities and no injuries to the occupants.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the aircraft's maintenance history, weather conditions, and runway status. The investigation confirmed the aircraft was airworthy, with its most recent periodic inspection completed only 14.2 hours prior to the accident. The pilot held a valid Private Pilot Licence and medical certificate.
Regarding the environment, weather reports from King Shaka International Airport indicated calm conditions with no significant wind shear. While the pilot noted the runway surface was rough and covered in overgrown grass, investigators determined that the runway condition was not a contributing factor, as the Cirrus SR22 is capable of operating on such surfaces. The aircraft's weight and balance were also found to be within prescribed limits.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was that the pilot stalled the aircraft during take-off due to insufficient airspeed and incorrect take-off technique.
- An excessive angle-of-attack during the initial climb led to a reduced rate of climb and loss of airspeed.
- The aircraft's rotation speed was below the manufacturer's recommended parameters for both standard and short-field operations.