What happened
On 3 August 2025, a DG Flugzeubau DG800B motorised glider, registration ZT-GAE, departed from Worcester Airport in the Western Cape for a local flight. The pilot, flying solo under visual meteorological conditions, had transitioned the aircraft into an engine-off configuration once the desired altitude was reached.
While cruising at approximately 650 feet above ground level, the aircraft encountered severe atmospheric disturbances. This resulted in a rapid descent. In an attempt to recover altitude, the pilot deployed and attempted to start the sustainer engine at an airspeed of roughly 8/80 knots. However, this recovery attempt failed.
Recognizing the need for an emergency landing, the pilot identified a nearby soccer field as a suitable site. During the approach to the field, the right wing of the aircraft struck fruit trees at an altitude of 49 feet. The impact caused the glider to veer 90 degrees to the right and strike a fence before coming to a halt on the ground. There were no fatalities and no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage to its fuselage, wings, and canopy.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the flight conditions and the aircraft's operational parameters. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid Glider Pilot Licence and a current medical certificate. The aircraft's maintenance records showed it had recently undergone its annual inspection and was in a valid state of airworthiness.
Investigators reviewed the meteorological data, which indicated a forecast for severe mountain waves and turbulence from the surface up to 8,000 feet. The investigation also analyzed the manufacturer's flight manual regarding engine restart procedures. The manual stipulates that the in-flight restart process requires a dive to reach approximately 95 knots, a maneuver that consumes about 500 feet of altitude. Crucially, the manual advises against initiating this procedure below 1,320 feet above ground level.
Findings
- The aircraft encountered severe turbulence and mountain waves, leading to a significant loss of lift and altitude.
- The low altitude of the aircraft prevented a successful sustainer engine restart, as the pilot was well below the manufacturer-recommended minimum altitude of 1,320 feet for the procedure.
- The pilot's attempt to use the engine to regain altitude was unsuccessful due to insufficient airspeed and altitude to complete the required dive-and-flare maneuver.