What happened
On the afternoon of March 2, 2002, a Windlass Trike, registration ZU-AIN, departed from Lichtenburg Aerodrome for a private local flight. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and one passenger. Approximately ten minutes into the flight, the aircraft suffered a loss of engine power.
In response to the engine failure, the pilot attempted a precautionary landing at the nearby Lafarge Motor Race Track. During the final approach to the track, the aircraft struck power lines that were stretched across the racing circuit at an altitude of roughly 7 meters. Following the impact with the wires, the aircraft touched down on its wheels on the track surface, subsequently veered to the left, and struck two obscured poles located beside the track. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, though the passenger escaped without injury, and the pilot sustained minor facial injuries.
The investigation
Investigators reviewed the maintenance history of the Windlass Trike, noting that its most recent annual inspection had been completed on November 11, 2001, with only two flight hours accumulated since that certification. The aircraft held a valid Authority to Fly at the time of the incident. However, official records indicated that the pilot's license was not valid during the occurrence. The investigation also considered environmental factors, specifically the position of the sun during the late afternoon approach.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was fuel contamination.
- The pilot did not identify the power lines in time to perform necessary evasive maneuvers.
- The setting sun in the west acted as a contributing factor to the pilot's failure to observe the wires.