What happened
On the morning of 2 July 2024, a private flight departing from Groutville Aerodrome ended in an accident in the Hlimbitwa River near Blythedle Beach. The flight, conducted under visual meteorological conditions, involved a Windlass Aquilla microlight, registration ZU-CCJ, carrying a pilot and one passenger.
After departing the aerodrome, the pilot navigated toward the coastline before turning inland to follow the course of the Hlimbitwa River. While flying at a low altitude along the river's contours, the pilot attempted to increase engine power using the foot-operated throttle. However, the aircraft responded slowly to the power input, causing the airspeed to decay. This led to a stall of the left wing, which subsequently struck the water. The aircraft impacted the shallow riverbed, resulting in substantial structural damage and a fuel leak. Both occupants successfully evacuated the aircraft and reached the riverbank without injury.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the crash, including the aircraft's maintenance history and the pilot's experience. The investigation confirmed that the Windlass Aquilla had undergone an annual inspection recently and possessed a valid Authority to Fly. There were no reported mechanical or electrical malfunctions that contributed to the event. Meteorological conditions were found to be clear and had no impact on the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating at a low altitude and low airspeed at the time of the stall.
- The pilot's experience on weight-shift microlight aircraft was limited, with only 28.7 total hours on this specific type.
- The pilot applied full power too late in an attempt to prevent the stall.
- The low altitude of the flight left insufficient height for the pilot to recover from the wing stall once it occurred.