What happened
On 22 November 2001, a Sycamore MK1 aircraft, registration ZU-BZF, was performing a private flight between two farms in the Kroonstad region. The flight departed from a private runway at Spitskop farm, intended for a landing at Beestekraal farm.
Shortly after the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 40 feet, the engine experienced a sudden loss of power. In an attempt to maintain engine function, the pilot activated the emergency fuel pump, but this action failed to restore power. Seeking an immediate landing site, the pilot targeted an older, disused runway located near the original departure strip. However, this secondary runway was separated from the primary strip by a farm road and two fences. During the landing approach, the aircraft's main undercarriage struck the upper strand of a fence, causing the aircraft to pitch downward and roll to the left before impacting the ground. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but the pilot escaped without injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the mechanical state of the engine and the circumstances surrounding the power loss. The aircraft's mass and center of gravity were confirmed to be within the required operating limits at the time of departure. The engine had recently undergone an annual inspection on 14 November 2001, with only 118.34 airframe hours recorded since new.
During a post-accident engine test run conducted by an approved maintenance organization, the engine appeared to function normally under testing conditions. However, a subsequent compression test revealed that two cylinders exhibited compression levels slightly below the prescribed limits. Additionally, the investigation identified that the turbocharger waste gate was failing to close properly.