What happened
On the afternoon of 8 August 2007, a Piper PA-34-220T was conducting a private flight from Lanseria Aerodrome to Rand Aerodrome. The aircraft, registered ZS-MNJ, was carrying a pilot and one passenger. While cruising at approximately 6,500 feet above mean sea level over a residential area, the aircraft experienced a significant loss of power.
As the aircraft lost altitude, the pilot attempted to execute a forced landing at the Killarney Golf Course, located directly ahead. However, the descent rate was too steep to reach the intended destination. The aircraft instead descended into a private garden in Birdhaven, Johannesburg. During the impact sequence, the left wing struck two small trees, and the aircraft subsequently collided with a large tree and an outdoor entertainment area of a residence. The impact was severe enough that the pilot was ejected from the cockpit, while the passenger remained trapped and required extraction by emergency responders using specialized cutting equipment.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and the flight history of the aircraft and crew. The investigation established that the flight began following a radio maintenance visit at Lanseria. During the descent, witnesses on the ground reported hearing the engines spleltering and stalling before the aircraft disappeared from view.
Investigators reviewed the aircraft's mechanical state, noting that the engine failure occurred while flying in twilight conditions. The investigation also looked into the pilot's recent flight history and the aircraft's maintenance records. It was noted that the pilot had experienced a similar engine failure in a different aircraft in 2000, which also resulted in a forced landing.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an unsuccessful forced landing following an engine failure in flight.
- The aircraft was unable to maintain sufficient altitude on the remaining engine to reach the Killarney Golf Course.
- Both occupants sustained serious injuries during the crash.
- The aircraft was destroyed upon impact with the trees and the residential structure.