What happened
On 4 February 2007, a trike aircraft, registration ZU-DYM, departed from the Sausalito private aerodrome near Deneysville. The pilot, accompanied by one passenger, intended to fly to Panorama Aerodrome. During the takeoff roll, which was directed toward the west, the aircraft encountered a sudden gust of northwesterly wind. This downdraft caused the aircraft to lose altitude unexpectedly.
As the pilot attempted to recover from the sinking motion, a crosswind pushed the aircraft toward the left, steering it toward nearby power lines. To prevent a collision with the electrical infrastructure, the pilot executed an emergency landing on the runway. During this maneuver, the right wing struck tall grass, causing the aircraft to crash. The impact resulted in the collapse of the trike's front section. The pilot sustained one injury (a broken arm), while the passenger remained unharmed. The aircraft suffered significant damage to its propeller, wing, and nose.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance history and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The aircraft's last annual inspection had been completed on 05 October 2006, with 51.40 flight hours accumulated since that check. At the time of the occurrence, the aircraft's authority to fly was valid. Meteorological data confirmed light northwesterly winds with sudden gusts, and visibility was excellent (CAVOK).
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of directional control following a sudden downdraft and subsequent crosswind during the takeoff phase.
- The pilot's decision to land immediately was a necessary maneuver to avoid contact with power lines.