What happened
On 7 November 2006, a Thunderbird microllight, registration ZU-BVJ, was conducting a private flight departing from and returning to Rustenburg Aerodrome. While flying approximately 8 nautical miles north of the aerodrome at an altitude of 1,000 feet, the aircraft's engine ceased operation.
In response to the loss of power, the pilot identified a potential landing site and attempted a forced landing in a nearby field. However, the terrain was recently ploughed and extremely uneven. Upon impact, the aircraft's main wheel detached, and the nose wheel became embedded in the soft soil, causing the propeller to strike the ground. While the aircraft suffered significant damage to the fuselage boom, windscreen, and cockpit frame, there were no injuries to the two occupants on board.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft and the environmental conditions at the time of the incident. The aircraft had 4t33 total airframe hours and had undergone an annual inspection less than a month prior to the accident. Records indicated that the engine had been ground-run by a maintenance organization with no issues noted.
Investigators also analyzed the meteorological data, noting a temperature of 22°C and a dew point of 18°C. This data was used to assess the likelihood of atmospheric conditions affecting the engine's performance.