What happened
On July 30, 1999, a community fete was being held at a church in Bothaville. As part of the event's entertainment, a pilot agreed to perform aerial maneuvers, specifically flips, for the attendees. The arrangement was informal, with the pilot receiving only fuel costs in exchange for the performance.
To facilitate the event, the organizer prepared a makeshift runway on an open field adjacent to the church. The organizer had consulted the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) regarding the legality of the operation and proceeded under the impression that no specific permission was required as long as the flights were conducted from an open field rather than a public road.
During the flight sequence, the pilot attempted to take off with one passenger on board. During the takeoff roll, the Windlass Trike, registered ZU-AWY, failed to achieve the necessary altitude to clear an obstacle. The aircraft struck a tree located in a nearby residential garden.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the takeoff failure and the operational setup of the makeshift airfield. Investigators examined the flight conditions, which were noted as fine, and the pilot's experience, noting the pilot held a valid microlight license with 113 hours on this specific type of aircraft.
Findings
- The primary cause of the inability to gain sufficient height during takeoff was water contamination in the fuel.
- The aircraft was unable to clear a tree situated in a garden adjacent to the takeoff area.
- The passenger on board sustained minor injuries, while the pilot remained uninjured.
- There was a misunderstanding regarding the regulatory requirements for operating an aerial display from a non-permanent, private field.