What happened
On the afternoon of 16 August 2025, an Apollo T AL-60 aircraft, registered ZU-IHA, departed Parys Aerodrome (FAPY) for a routine parachute drop-off flight. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and seven skydivers. After climbing to flight level 135, the pilot experienced a sudden vibration through the cockpit floor. Within 30 seconds, flames were visible exiting the left exhaust pipe, followed by a total loss of engine power.
Following established emergency procedures, the pilot instructed the skydivers to exit the aircraft. The pilot then managed a descent and attempted a forced landing. The aircraft touched down on a grass area approximately 90 metres short of Runway 07, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. All skydivers landed safely, and the pilot escaped without injury.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records and performed a teardown inspection of the engine. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft had undergone a 100-hour annual inspection approximately 45 airframe hours prior to the incident. All maintenance logs were found to be in order, and the aircraft was properly certified with no pending defects or evidence of non-compliance with service bulletins.
Technical analysis of the engine focused on the turbine assembly. Investigators found no evidence of foreign object damage (FOD) that could have caused the failure. Instead, the inspection focused on the physical state of the rotor blades.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine power loss was a fracture of the first-stage turbine wheel on the axial turbine rotor blades.
- The fracture pattern and surface characteristics, including oxidation and discoloration, were consistent with exposure to elevated operating temperatures.
- The loss of engine power was a direct result of this mechanical failure, which necessitated the forced landing.
- The incident was contributed to by progressive clearance loss resulting from sustained high temperatures within the engine.