What happened
On the afternoon of 14 April 2006, a Windlass Aquilla, registration ZU-CDZ, was conducting a local flight near Dikhololo Aerodrome in the North West Province. The pilot, accompanied by one passenger, had departed from runway 27 as part of a group participating in an Easter weekend fly-in. The purpose of the flight was to view wildlife within a nearby game park under favorable weather conditions, characterized by good visibility and light north-westerly winds.
Shortly after ascending to an altitude of approximately 100 feet, the aircraft's engine failed. Although the engine briefly restarted, it failed a second time shortly thereafter. In an attempt to manage the emergency, the pilot maneuvered to perform a forced landing on a dirt road. During this maneuver, the aircraft's left wing struck a tree, causing the plane to crash. The pilot sustained an injury to his right ankle, while the passenger remained uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft and the sequence of the engine's failure. Following the accident, the aircraft was transported to a maintenance facility where it underwent inspection by an approved person. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid microlight license and was properly endorsed for the aircraft type. Records also indicated that the aircraft had a valid Authority to Fly and had undergone its most recent annual inspection earlier that year.
Findings
Technical examination of the engine and fuel system revealed that the collapsed fuel line was the primary factor in the engine's loss of power. Specifically, a plastic hose running from the fuel tank to the engine had collapsed, which restricted the flow of fuel and led to engine starvation. This mechanical failure directly caused the engine to fail during the initial climb.