What happened
On 11 September 2024, a flight instructor and a pilot were conducting a training flight in a Piper 34-200T, registration ZS-MCR, intended to prepare the pilot for an upcoming instrument rating test. The flight began at Springs Aerodrome (FASI) after the crew had diverted there earlier in the day to address a significant RPM drop noted during engine run-up checks. After maintenance personnel cleaned the left engine's spark plugs and verified the magnetos were within limits, the crew proceeded to the eastern general flying area for simulated instrument exercises.
Following these exercises, the crew returned to Brakpan Aerodrome (FABB) to perform touch-and-go circuits on Runway 36. While the first circuit was completed without incident, the second circuit became critical during the climb phase. Upon applying full power after touchdown, the aircraft experienced a sudden yaw to the left. The pilot noted that the left engine was no longer producing power and the propeller was windmilling. As the aircraft struggled to climb and airspeed dropped rapidly, the flight instructor took control, attempting to raise the landing gear and feather the left engine. However, the aircraft could not maintain altitude and ultimately landed in a wheels-up configuration approximately 60 meters to the left of the runway. The two occupants escaped the substantial damage to the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The SACAA AIID investigation examined the sequence of events leading to the engine failure and the subsequent flight path. Investigators reviewed the maintenance actions taken at Springs Aerodrome, noting that the engine's spark plugs had been cleaned prior to the flight. The investigation also analyzed the aircraft's performance during the engine failure, specifically looking at the impact of the windmilling propeller and the aircraft's configuration on its ability to maintain control and airspeed.
Findings
- The aircraft landed in a wheels-up state following the failure of the left engine.
- The sudden loss of power caused the aircraft to yaw heavily to the left and lose altitude rapidly.
- The left engine's RPM was likely too low to allow for successful feathering of the propeller.
- The aircraft's configuration during the climb contributed to a loss of airspeed, which rendered the rudder less effective for countering the yaw.
- The left-side engine lost power during take-off, leading to the unsuccessful landing.
- The cause of the initial engine failure could not be determined by the maintenance organization.