What happened
On 19 August 2025, a private flight departing from Jansenville Airstrip in the Eastern Cape Province resulted in a serious incident involving a Bantam B22J, registration ZU-FGD. Following a standard pre-flight inspection that revealed no initial defects, the pilot began taxiing toward Runway 11. During this process, the pilot noticed an irregularity regarding throttle movement and decided to return to the hangar.
While taxiing back toward the hangar, the aircraft's engine unexpectedly surged to maximum revolutions per minute. This sudden increase in power caused the aircraft to accelerate uncontrollably, leading the pilot to lose directional control. The aircraft subsequently collided with a motor vehicle parked outside the hangar. The impact caused minor damage to the aircraft's propeller, windshield, and composite nose cone, as well as damage to the third-party vehicle. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the aircraft's mechanical state and the pilot's credentials. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid National Pilot Licence and a current medical certificate. The aircraft's documentation was in order, with a valid Authority-to-Fly and a recent annual inspection completed in February 2025.
Technical inspections of the engine and control systems were conducted by an approved person. The examination found the engine's general condition to be normal, and tests confirmed that the throttle cables and associated linkages to the dual carburettors were functioning freely without obstruction.