What happened
On 13 March 2002, an Atlas AL-60C-4M Kudu, registration ZS-WXG, was participating in a practice flight for an upcoming international extreme sports competition in the Western Cape. The flight, which was part of a reconnaissance mission to familiarize crews with various landing strips, departed from Stellenbosch airfield.
The crew intended to land on a dirt road south of Cape Hangklip; however, because the road was obstructed, the aircraft utilized an alternative 900-meter surface characterized by a west-to-east downward slope. After landing at approximately 1250Z, the aircraft began its takeoff roll on a heading of 110°M.
During the climb, at an altitude of roughly 30 feet and an airspeed of 65 knots, the aircraft encountered wind shear. This atmospheric disturbance caused the indicated airspeed to drop to 60 knots. In an attempt to maintain control, the pilot turned toward lower ground to the southeast, but the airspeed continued to decay to 55 knots. Despite the application of full power, the aircraft experienced a significant sink rate. The pilot subsequently deployed 66% flaps and executed a forced landing on the beach at Silver Sands. Upon touchdown, the aircraft rolled for about 20 meters before the main wheels became embedded in the soft sand, causing the aircraft to overturn. There were no fatalities among the seven people on board, though one person sustained injuries.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight conditions during the takeoff phase and the environmental factors present at the makeshift landing strip. Investigators examined the aircraft's performance, the meteorological conditions, and the sequence of maneuvers performed by the pilot following the encounter with wind shear.