Summary
On 22 January 2017 at 1506Z, a Cessna U206G, registration ZS-ANA, operated by Wings of Hope Ministry (Pty) Ltd, was involved in an accident during take-off from Shikwaru Lodge private airfield in Mokopane, Limpopo Province. The aircraft, on a private VFR flight to NB Safaris Lodge, aborted its take-off due to insufficient acceleration. The aircraft overran the runway on wet grass and collided with a bamboo fence. The occupant—a pilot and one passenger—were not injured. The aircraft sustained minor structural damage.
History of Flight
The pilot, a 33-year-old private pilot with 341.5 total flying hours and 78.6 hours on type, intended to fly from Shikwaru Lodge to NB Safaris Lodge under visual flight rules. After obtaining a weather forecast, he started the engine, taxied, and lined up on the grass runway. He applied full power and released the brakes for take-off. During the take-off run, the airspeed did not increase sufficiently to lift off. The pilot decided to abort, reducing power and applying full brakes. However, due to the wet and slippery grass, the aircraft slid and veered off the runway, eventually striking a bamboo fence and coming to a stop.
Investigation
The investigation revealed that the pilot held a valid Private Pilot Licence with a type rating for the Cessna U206G, a valid Class 2 medical certificate, and was familiar with the aircraft's performance. The aircraft had a valid Standard Certificate of Airworthiness and sufficient fuel; its mass was within limits and no pre-accident defects were found. The runway was noted to be slippery from previous rain showers, which caused sluggish acceleration. Despite applying full brakes, the pilot could not stop the aircraft before it slid off the runway.
Damage
The aircraft sustained minor structural damage from the collision with the bamboo fence. The fence was also damaged. No injuries were sustained by the occupants.
Probable Cause
The investigation concluded that the accident occurred due to the aircraft colliding with a bamboo fence after veering off the runway in a failed aborted take-off.