What happened
On the afternoon of August 18, 1999, a Piper PA28R-180, registration ZS-LPW, was performing a private flight departing from and returning to Kameeldrift Airstrip near Hartebeestpoort dam. While the aircraft was on the downwind leg for Runway 11, the pilot encountered a sudden engine failure. In an attempt to restore power, the pilot adjusted the mixture to rich and tried to restart the engine, but the attempt was initially unsuccessful.
Following the failure, the pilot transitioned the aircraft into a right-hand base pattern to prepare for an emergency landing. As the aircraft reached the runway threshold, the engine unexpectedly regained power. This sudden surge of thrust caused the aircraft to veer sharply to the left, exiting the runway surface. During the excursion, the left wing struck a thorn tree, causing the outer portion of the wing to detach. The aircraft continued to roll for roughly 50 meters before entering a 90-degree ground loop, at which point the right wing also broke off and ended up positioned under the fuselage.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the sequence of events leading to the loss of directional control. The investigation confirmed that the weather conditions at the time were favorable, with calm winds and a temperature of approximately 23 degrees Celsius. The investigation focused on the transition from engine failure to the sudden engine restart at the moment of touchdown and how this affected the aircraft's stability on the runway.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a primary engine failure during the downwind approach.
- The pilot attempted an in-flight restart by enriching the fuel mixture.
- The engine restarted exactly as the aircraft touched down at the runway threshold.
- The sudden application of power upon touchdown caused the pilot to lose directional control, leading to the leftward veer and subsequent ground loop.