What happened
On December 14, 2001, a Windlass Trike, registration ZS-WIU, was conducting a private aerial photography mission when the aircraft's engine lost power. The flight, which originated from and was intended to return to Treverton Aerodrome, was operating at approximately 700 feet AGL when the failure occurred.
With the engine inoperative, the pilot attempted an emergency landing on the shoulder of the northbound N3 highway in the Mooi River area. While attempting to position the aircraft to the left of the yellow line, the pilot encountered turbulence generated by a heavy vehicle traveling on the roadway. This disturbance caused the left wing of the aircraft to strike an adjacent embankment. The impact triggered a left-hand spin, sending the aircraft sliding backward down a storm water gully toward oncoming traffic.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the engine and the sequence of the landing maneuver. Investigators examined the engine components to determine why power was lost during the flight. The investigation also assessed the environmental factors, noting that while visibility was good and weather conditions were fine, the presence of heavy vehicle traffic on the highway played a role in the aircraft's loss of control during the landing attempt.
Findings
- The primary cause of the power loss was the failure of the ignition coil in the engine's front cylinder, which occurred while the engine was operating under full power conditions.
- The loss of power rendered the aircraft unable to maintain its flight altitude.
- The aircraft's contact with the embankment was a direct result of turbulence caused by a heavy vehicle on the highway.
- The impact and subsequent slide resulted in two minor injuries, specifically a cut to the passenger's calf and minor bruising to the pilot.