What happened
On 16 November 2002, a Hawker Siddeley HS-748 2B, registration ZS-OLE, was conducting a domestic charter flight from Skukuza to Pilanesberg. Operated by Airquarius Aviation, the aircraft was carrying 47 people on board. During the flight, the crew encountered a significant technical issue involving a total loss of hydraulic pressure. Despite the failure, the pilot managed to execute a successful landing on Runway 23 at Pilanesberg.
Following the touchdown, the pilot shut down both engines. However, the aircraft continued along the runway heading for approximately 2,000 meters before veering to the left. The aircraft eventually left the paved surface and entered a ditch located 75 meters from the edge of the runway, where it came to a halt. While there were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries among the passengers and crew, the aircraft suffered extensive damage, and the airport's perimeter fencing was also significantly impacted.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the mechanical state of the aircraft and the crew's actions following the landing. The investigation confirmed that both the pilot and co-pilot were properly licensed and held the necessary type ratings for the aircraft. Meteorological conditions at the time of the incident were reported as fine.
Technical inspections revealed that the aircraft had been subject to appropriate maintenance protocols, though a leaking left-hand hydraulic pump was identified as a key factor. It was also noted that the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) was not operational at the time of the occurrence. The investigation focused on the sequence of events following the landing, specifically the pilot's management of the aircraft's systems after the engines were shut down.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was a complete hydraulic failure, likely stemming from a leak in the left-hand engine pump.
- The pilot did not declare an emergency to Pilanesberg Air Traffic Control, despite notifying them of the hydraulic failure.
- Post-landing procedures were incomplete, as the pilot failed to deactivate the Nose Wheel Steering and did not shut off both hydraulic cut-off switches.
- The existing Emergency Checklist was found to be insufficient, as it lacked specific instructions for managing a total hydraulic failure.