What happened
On 12 September 2007, a private scenic flight involving a DH-82A (Tiger Moth), registration ZS-BXB, transitioned from a routine flight into a fatal accident near Grasmere. The flight originated from Rand Aerodrome, traveling via Panorama Aerodrome to Solitude Aerodrome. After performing touch-and-go maneuvers at Solitude, the pilot began a climb phase on a right-hand heading toward Rand Aerodrome.
During this climb, the pilot reported hearing a sudden, loud bang from the front of the aircraft, accompanied by vibrations. Immediately following this sound, the aircraft experienced a violent right-hand roll and yaw, entering a spin. Despite the pilot's efforts to recover, the aircraft completed two full rotations in a nose-down attitude before impacting the ground near the Grasmere Tollgate. The impact occurred on a tarred road, striking three vehicles—a sedan, an LDV, and a truck. The accident resulted in one fatality and one injury.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and the engine, a Gipsy Major-10. A detailed strip inspection of the engine, including the magnetos and carburetor, revealed no mechanical anomalies or evidence of failure. Furthermore, the airframe inspection confirmed that all control cables, surfaces, and primary structural members were in serviceable condition prior to the impact. Investigators found no evidence of any in-flight structural failure or mechanical malfunction that could account for the loud noise reported by the pilot.
Findings
- The aircraft was in a valid state of airworthiness and had been maintained according to regulations.
- The pilot was properly licensed and qualified for the operation.
- The pilot was distracted by a sudden loud noise, which likely led to a loss of airspeed and altitude.
- The aircraft entered a stall and subsequent spin at a low altitude and low speed, leaving insufficient height for a successful recovery.
- The high forces of the impact rendered the accident non-survivable for the occupant who perished.