What happened
On 17 June 2005, a Raptor Trike microlight, registration ZU-CAN, departed from Panorama Aerodrome for a private pleasure flight. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and one passenger. After roughly 20 minutes of flight in calm weather, the aircraft arrived at the Blockhouse Aerodrome near Meyerton.
Prior to landing, the pilot performed three flyovers of the runway to inspect the area and check for high-tension wires. During these maneuvers, the pilot observed that the windsock was hanging limp. While executing a northerly final approach, the aircraft began to sink and yaw toward the right, moving away from the runway centerline and toward the windsock pole. In an attempt to avoid the pole, the pilot applied full power and initiated a gentle left turn. However, the right wing's leading edge struck the windsock pole, causing the aircraft to crash into the ground.
Both occupants sustained injuries. The pilot suffered head injuries, while the passenger sustained a broken wrist, a broken upper arm, and burns from the engine exhaust. The aircraft suffered extensive damage to its frame and propeller.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight conditions, the aircraft's maintenance history, and the sequence of events leading to the impact. Meteorological data indicated calm surface winds and good visibility at the time of the incident. The aircraft's maintenance records showed a recent annual inspection in May 2005, and the Authority to Fly was valid. The passenger noted that a sudden gust of wind occurred immediately before the accident.