What happened
On 2 August 2007, a pilot and passenger were conducting a ferry flight from Swartkops aerodrome to Fly-Inn aerodrome for scheduled annual maintenance. During the arrival at Fly-Inn, the pilot initiated a go-around following a balked landing on runway 06. While the landing gear was being retracted and the flaps were in the process of being pulled in, the engine suddenly lost power.
Seeking to avoid obstacles, the pilot attempted an emergency landing in a nearby open field. During the descent, the aircraft's right wing struck a tree, leading to a crash. The impact caused the engine to separate from the airframe and the propeller to strike the windscreen. Despite the destruction of the aircraft, both occupants escaped the wreckage without any injuries.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and the engine to identify the source of the power loss. A comprehensive engine tear-down was performed, which ruled out mechanical failure as the culprit. The investigation also cleared fuel-related issues, finding no evidence of fuel contamination or any blockages within the fuel lines or filters.
Analysis of the propeller marks and the wreckage site confirmed that the engine had ceased running prior to the impact. While the aircraft's Authority to Fly had technically expired, investigators noted that the operator had secured the necessary permissions for the ferry flight. The investigation concluded that the engine stopped, and the subsequent collision with a tree was the direct cause of the crash.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the right wing colliding with a tree while maneuvering for a forced landing.
- An undetermined engine failure acted as a significant contributing factor to the event.
- The pilot was properly licensed and qualified for the operation.
- Maintenance records indicated the aircraft had been maintained according to approved procedures.
- Meteorological conditions were clear with good visibility and were not a factor in the accident.