What happened
On 31 May 1998, a PA28-161, registered as ZS-LIP, departed Cape Town International Airport for a recreational flight toward Hermanus. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and three passengers. Approximately 15 to 20 minutes after takeoff, the pilot observed a rapid and critical increase in oil temperature alongside a drop in oil pressure.
Shortly after these gauge fluctuations, the engine emitted a loud noise and began vibrating violently. Smoke and oil were observed discharging from the engine compartment, and the propeller ceased rotation. Due to the presence of large crowds on the nearby beach, the pilot determined that an emergency landing on land was not viable and instead opted to ditch the aircraft in the shallow waters of the bay near Gordon's Bay. During the maneuver, the pilot attempted a left turn to avoid rocky terrain, but the left wing made contact with the water, causing the aircraft to nose over into the sea.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the engine's sudden loss of power and the subsequent ditching. The investigation focused on the rapid movement of the oil temperature and pressure indicators into the red zones and the physical symptoms of the engine failure, including the violent shuddering and the discharge of oil and smoke.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was oil starvation.
- The sudden loss of oil pressure and rising temperatures led to mechanical distress, characterized by loud noises and engine vibration.
- The decision to ditch in the bay was driven by the high density of people on the beach, which precluded a land-based emergency landing.
- The aircraft's nose-over during the water landing was a result of the left wing striking the water during an evasive turn intended to avoid rocks.