What happened
On the morning of 7 December 1998, a Grumman G164B, registered as ZS-LJP, was preparing to begin a crop spraying operation. The aircraft was operating near a farm in the Leslie area, with its intended departure and arrival points both located at a nearby farm.
While the pilot was initiating the spraying detail, the aircraft suffered an abrupt loss of engine power. In an attempt to manage the failure, the pilot performed an emergency landing. During the descent and landing sequence, the aircraft struck a contour wall, which caused the plane to nose over. Although the impact resulted in severe damage to the airframe, the pilot was able to exit the wreckage without any injuries.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and the circumstances surrounding the power loss. The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the engine and the structural integrity of the components involved in the power delivery system. The weather conditions at the time of the occurrence were reported as fine, suggesting that environmental factors were not a primary contributor to the incident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was a broken counter weight bracket.
- The mechanical failure of this bracket directly resulted in the sudden loss of power experienced by the pilot.
- The aircraft's contact with a contour wall during the emergency procedure led to the significant damage sustained by the Grumman G164B.