Accident Overview
On 18 March 2005, a Piper PA32-300 aircraft (registration ZS-JGH) departed Rand Aerodrome (FAGM) on a private flight to a farm near Ellisras. Shortly after becoming airborne, the aircraft disappeared from sight in an easterly direction along the extended centerline of Runway 17. The air traffic controller on duty made several unsuccessful attempts to contact the pilot and subsequently deployed emergency personnel in the direction of the flight.
Flight Details
The flight was operated under private category with a pilot holding a valid private pilot license. The pilot, aged 49, had a total flying experience of 177.2 hours, with 153.5 hours on the type. The aircraft carried one pilot and four passengers, along with two dogs. The weather conditions at the time were CAVOK, with wind from 110 degrees at 5 knots and a temperature of 23°C.
Accident Sequence
Emergency personnel located the accident site in the residential area of Lambton, Germiston. The aircraft had clipped a tree top, roof tiles of a house, and a carport structure before coming to rest against a large tree inside a private residence yard.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA32-300, registration ZS-JGH. The last Mandatory Periodic Inspection (MPI) was certified on 22 February 2005 at 2853.37 airframe hours, and the aircraft had not been flown since that inspection. Examination revealed that the right-hand side magneto wedge had come loose in service, causing considerable damage to internal components, including the distributor block, gears, distributor electrode post, points gap, carbon brush, and coil pole shoe.
Injuries and Damage
All five occupants and the two dogs aboard sustained serious injuries and were admitted to the hospital. The aircraft was extensively damaged due to severe impact forces.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was engine power loss during takeoff due to a faulty ignition system. A contributory factor was that the aircraft's maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) was exceeded.