What happened
On the afternoon of 18 May 2025, a Rans S-10 Sakota, registered ZS-WXE, was conducting a private flight departing from Middleburg Aerodrome (FAMB) in Mpumalanga. The flight, operated under Part 94 regulations, included the pilot and one passenger. Following a series of successful low-level flights earlier that day, the aircraft departed Runway 32.
During the initial stages of the flight, the aircraft failed to climb to the standard circuit height of 1,000 feet. While executing a left turn on the base leg for Runway 32, the aircraft entered a left-wing low attitude at an altitude of less than 500 feet. The pilot subsequently lost control, causing the aircraft to nose-dive and crash approximately 200 meters left of the runway. A post-impact fire erupted, destroying the aircraft and resulting in two fatalities.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID examined the flight path, the pilot's credentials, and the aircraft's airworthiness status. While the pilot held a valid Commercial Pilot Licence and significant total flying hours, investigators noted a lack of recent experience on this specific aircraft type, having not flown the Sakota for approximately one year.
Technical scrutiny of the aircraft's documentation revealed that while the Authority-to-Fly was valid, the Certificate of Release to Service (CRS) had expired, meaning the aircraft was not technically airworthy at the time of the accident. The investigation focused on the aircraft's behavior during the turn, noting that the maneuver likely exceeded the aerodynamic handling limits of the airframe.
Findings
- The pilot's recent flying experience was primarily in agricultural aircraft, which possess significantly different handling characteristics than the aerobatic Rans S-10 Sakota.
- The aircraft entered a steep, uncoordinated turn at a very low altitude, which led to an aerodynamic stall.
- Factors such as improper speed management and excessive banking increased the structural load and raised the stall speed.
- The low-level nature of the maneuver left no margin for recovery or emergency maneuvering.
Safety action
- The investigation highlighted the need for pilots to complete familiarization or refresher flights when they have not operated a specific aircraft type for more than 90 days, especially when transitioning between different aircraft classes.
- A safety message was issued regarding the importance of timely maintenance scheduling to ensure that the Certificate of Release to Service does not lapse, maintaining the continued airworthiness of the aircraft.