Accident Details
The accident occurred on 18 August 1999 at approximately 1500Z at Kameeldrift Airstrip, located near the Hartebeestpoort dam. Meteorological conditions at the time were reported as fine weather with calm wind and a temperature of about 23°C. The aircraft, a Piper PA28R-180 registered as ZS-LPW, was being operated as a private flight with one person on board. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
Aircraft and Pilot
The aircraft was a Piper PA28R-180, registration ZS-LPW. It was being operated under private category. The pilot held a private pilot license that was not valid at the time of the accident. The pilot's total flying experience amounted to 176.00 hours, of which 156.00 hours were on the accident aircraft type.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that while flying downwind for landing on Runway 11 at Kameeldrift Airstrip, a sudden engine failure occurred. The pilot immediately set the mixture to rich and attempted an engine restart, but the engine did not respond. The pilot then turned the aircraft onto a right-hand base position for landing on the same runway.
According to the pilot, the engine restarted at the moment of touchdown at the runway threshold. Upon engine restart, the aircraft veered to the left and departed the runway. The left wing subsequently collided with a thorn tree, causing the outer section of the wing to separate. The aircraft continued to roll for approximately 50 meters before executing a ground loop of 90 degrees. During the ground loop, the right wing also broke off and came to rest in an inverted position beneath the right side of the fuselage.
Probable Cause
The pilot apparently landed at the threshold of the runway after he experienced an engine failure but lost directional control when the engine finally started.