What happened
On 19 February 2007, a training flight involving an instructor and a student pilot departed from Springs Aerodrome, landing at Pieters and viewing an aircraft for sale. Following a refueling of the Piper PA38 Tomahawk, registration ZS-KFU, the crew prepared for their return journey. During the takeoff roll on runway 08, the student pilot maintained control as the aircraft climbed at approximately 400 feet per minute.
As the aircraft reached an airspeed of roughly 70 knots, the instructor noticed a loss of airspeed and altitude. The instructor took control and lowered the nose to maintain flight. To avoid high terrain at the end of the runway, the instructor attempted a right-hand turn toward flatter ground. During this maneuver, the aircraft lost sufficient lift, stalled in a right-wing-low attitude, and struck the ground approximately 300 feet above the surface. A post-impact fire completely destroyed the aircraft.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and found no evidence of engine or mechanical failure. The engine and airframe were found to be in a serviceable condition, and the propeller damage indicated the engine was still producing power at the moment of impact. The investigation focused on the aircraft's performance and weight distribution.
Medical examinations of the occupants revealed that both the instructor and the student sustained various injuries, including fractures and burns, but both survived due to the rapid response of local emergency services. The investigation also reviewed the weight and balance records, noting that a proper pre-flight calculation had not been performed by the crew.