What happened
On 27 June 2001, a Pietenpol Aircamper, registration ZS-VIZ, was involved in a forced landing at Petit Aerodrome. The flight was part of a series of demonstration flights conducted by a pilot for a recent purchaser of the aircraft. After completing an initial solo familiarization flight, the pilot performed several flights with the owner and the owner's children.
During the fourth flight of the day, which included the owner's son as a passenger, the aircraft departed from Runway 21. As the pilot turned left to navigate around a line of trees situated south of the airfield, the aircraft began a gradual descent. While maneuvering on a down-wind leg, the descent continued despite the engine maintaining full power. To avoid further complications, the pilot executed a forced landing in a ploughed field located east of Runway 21. The impact caused damage to the right-hand wing, the strut, and the right main landing gear, but no injuries were reported.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the circumstances of the descent and the pilot's observations. The pilot reported that the engine appeared to be producing full power throughout the incident. He suggested that the sudden loss of altitude might have been the result of encountering wind shear or a significant down-draught during the flight maneuvers.