Accident Overview
On 14 July 1999 at 1305Z, a Beech E55 aircraft, registration ZS-MJV, was operating a private flight from Buffelshoek near Mala Mala to Grand Central Aerodrome. The aircraft carried the pilot and five passengers.
Sequence of Events
En route, the aircraft experienced a total electrical failure. The loss of electrical power prevented normal extension of the landing gear. The pilot attempted to use the emergency landing gear extension system but found that the emergency release handle could not be freed. It was positioned behind the upholstery cover, and neither the pilot nor any passenger could release it.
After flying several circuits overhead Grand Central, the pilot decided to execute a wheels-up landing on the grass surface between the runway and the taxiway. During the landing, the aircraft bounced several times and collided with a notice board with the left wing. The aircraft came to rest inside the boundary fence of Grand Central, approximately 200 meters from the threshold of Runway 17.
Occupant Status
All six occupants disembarked the aircraft uninjured. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
Investigation Findings
The investigation was unable to determine the cause of the electrical failure due to interference by the parties concerned. Additionally, it was found that the emergency landing gear handle was located behind the upholstery panelling, making it inaccessible to the pilot and passengers.