What happened
On 14 June 2025, a Vans RV-9, registration ZU-ORG, was preparing for a daylight departure from Dundi Lodge Private Airstrip in the Northern Cape province. The flight, operated under Part 94 regulations, was intended to proceed to Morningstar Airfield in the Western Cape under visual meteorological conditions.
As the aircraft began its take-off roll on Runway 08 with engine power set at 2,700 RPM, the pilot encountered a sudden loss of directional control. Despite an attempt to correct the deviation by applying right rudder, the aircraft continued to veer left. The aircraft exited the paved surface of the runway and struck several trees, eventually coming to a rest approximately 500 metres from the runway centerline. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage to its fuselage, undercarriage, left-wing leading edge, tailwheel, and both horizontal and vertical stabilizers.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the departure. The investigation confirmed that the pilot had a valid Private Pilot Licence and was experienced on the aircraft type with over 179 flight hours. A pre-flight inspection had been completed with no anomalies noted, and the aircraft was carrying approximately 13 an Avgas 100LL fuel. The aircraft's maintenance records showed a recent 100-hour inspection completed in April 2025, and all necessary certificates, including the Authority-to-fly, were valid.
Findings
The investigation established that the primary cause of the accident was the failure to compensate for engine torque effect during the take-off roll. This physical phenomenon, where the rotation of the engine and propeller induces an equal and opposite reaction, created a yawing moment that the pilot was unable to counteract with the rudder, leading to the runway excursion.