What happened
On 19 January 2002, a Sycamore MK1 gyrocryptor, registered as ZU-CKG, was conducting a private flight from Messina toward its intended destination of Nylstroom. As the pilot was executing the final approach to Runway 10 at Nylstroom, the aircraft experienced a sudden and rapid loss of altitude. This descent caused the aircraft to land short of the runway threshold.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the flight and the aircraft's documentation. It was noted that the wreckage had been removed from the site prior to the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) being notified of the occurrence.
Regarding the aircraft's legal status, the investigation found that a Special Flight Permit had been issued on 16 May 2001 under the name of the previous owner. While this permit was technically valid until 15 May 2002, the aircraft had changed hands on 27 August 2001. Because the new owner had not obtained a new Authority to Fly or a replacement Special Flight Permit in their own name, the existing permit was considered invalid at the time of the accident.
Maintenance records indicated that the most recent annual inspection was completed on 27 August 2001, when the airframe had logged only 1.5 hours since the inspection. At the time of the accident, the aircraft had a total of 66 flying hours.