What happened
On 1 September 2000, a Windlass Trike microlight, registration ZU-AWP, was participating in a private pleasure flight near Bloemfontein. The aircraft was flying in a loose formation with two other aircraft at altitudes ranging between 800 and 1,000 feet above the ground. While the other two aircraft maintained a higher altitude, the pilot of ZU-AWP was operating at a significantly lower level.
Shortly after departing from Tempe Aerodrome, the aircraft proceeded over the R64 (Kimberley road) toward Bloemfontein. During this flight, one of the accompanying pilots contacted the pilot of ZU-AWP via radio to express concern regarding the low altitude. The pilot of the accident aircraft responded that an ascent would occur within a few minutes. As the aircraft reached the junction of the R64 and the N1 highway, it turned northward. During this maneuver, high-tension wires were encountered. Although the accompanying pilot spotted the wires, they were unable to provide sufficient warning to the pilot of ZU-AWP before the collision occurred. The impact caused the aircraft to tumble toward the ground and crash onto the N1 highway. The pilot sustained serious injuries and, despite undergoing emergency surgery, passed away several weeks after the accident.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the flight path and the circumstances surrounding the formation flight. The investigation focused on the altitude of the aircraft relative to the other members of the formation and the visibility of obstacles along the flight path. The inquiry established that the aircraft was operating at a low level, which prompted the radio inquiry from the other pilot. The investigation also looked into the timing of the warning provided by the accompanying aircraft and the presence of the high-tension wires at the site of the crash.