What happened
On the morning of December 21, 2000, a Piper PA28-180, registered ZS-LJN, was conducting a private flight involving a departure from Fly-Inn intended for a touch-and-go landing at Kitty Hawk. Following the initial touch-and-go, the pilot observed that the aircraft was struggling to climb to the necessary altitude. In an effort to maneuver away from a high-tension power line pylon, the pilot initiated a slight left turn. During this maneuver, the engine began to run roughly and subsequently suffered a complete loss of power while passing over the high-voltage wires. To preserve airspeed, the pilot lowered the aircraft's nose and performed a forced landing in an open field.
Upon impact with the ground, the engine ignited. While all occupants successfully evacuated the aircraft, the resulting fire completely destroyed the airframe. The incident resulted in two serious injuries and two minor injuries, with no fatalities reported.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the sequence of events following the engine failure and the subsequent impact. The investigation focused on the aircraft's performance during the climb phase and the mechanical state of the engine at the time of the power loss. The investigation confirmed that the weather conditions at the time of the accident were fine and that the pilot's actions were focused on avoiding obstacles during the emergency.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a total loss of engine power while attempting to maintain altitude following a touch-and-go landing.
- The pilot executed a turn to avoid a power line pylon, which coincided with the engine's failure.
- The engine failure was the primary reason for the forced landing.
- The engine fire occurred immediately upon touchdown, leading to the total destruction of the Piper PA28-180.