What happened
On 25 May 2006, a Piper PA-30, registration ZS-SWI, departed Lanseria Aerodrome (FALA) for a training flight toward the General Flying Area. The aircraft was occupied by a flight instructor and two student pilots undergoing multi-engine type conversion training. After completing the initial leg of the flight, the crew returned to Lanseria at approximately 1047Z to perform touch-and-go maneuvers and circuit training.
During the takeoff roll on Runway 06R, the aircraft experienced an engine failure while rotating. As the crew notified Air Traffic Control of the emergency, the aircraft began drifting to the right of the runway centerline. The right wingtip struck tree branches located beside the runway, leading to significant structural damage. The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground on private property near the aerodrome. All three occupants survived the crash with only minor injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the mechanical and operational circumstances surrounding the engine failure. The inquiry looked into the maintenance history of the aircraft and the regulatory standing of both the maintenance organization and the flight training school. While the maintenance organization had recently undergone a CAA audit, and the training school held a valid certificate at the time of the event, the investigation focused on the immediate cause of the power loss.
Findings
Technical analysis revealed that the right-hand engine failed immediately after takeoff due to fuel starvation, as the right main tank was empty. The investigation identified several contributing factors, including a failure by the instructor and the second student pilot to monitor fuel levels and consumption during the flight.
Furthermore, the instructor's experience on this specific multi-engine type was limited, having only completed conversion training on the morning of the accident. The investigation also noted a lack of effective Crew Resource Management (CRM) and a failure to maintain directional control, as the pilot allowed the aircraft to drift toward the side of the failed engine.