What happened
On the morning of 26 September 2025, an I.C.P. Aviazione Ventura 4, registration ZU-TEL, was conducting a scheduled proving flight from Robertsvale Airfield in East London, South Africa. The flight, which included a test pilot and an engineer, was being operated under visual meteorological conditions as part of a 25-hour flight testing regime.
Shortly after departing Runway 12, the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 200 feet above ground level when the engine experienced a sudden loss of power. The pilot noted a low fuel pressure indication and immediately initiated a right turn toward a pre-selected emergency landing zone located just outside the airfield. During the forced landing sequence, the aircraft struck a tree before coming to a halt on a grassy area. There were no fatalities and no injuries to the two occupants, though the aircraft sustained minor damage.
The investigation
Following the incident, the aircraft was transported to a maintenance facility in East London for a comprehensive engine examination. Investigators focused on the Rotax 912 ULS engine to identify any mechanical failures or pre-existing defects. The inspection of the engine, reduction gearbox, and ignition system revealed no mechanical damage or internal failures.
However, during the disassembly of the dual carburetors, engineers discovered dirt and foreign objects inside the float chamber of the right-side carburetor. This contamination was found to be lodged within the main jet chambers. While the mechanical fuel pump showed damage, investigators determined this was a result of the impact during the landing rather than a cause of the power loss.