What happened
On 17 September 2007, a Windlass Aquilla microlight, registration ZU-CFZ, was conducting a private scenic flight departing from Klerks and intended to return to the same aerodrome. During the return leg of the flight, the aircraft was maintaining a low altitude of approximately 300 meters to accommodate a passenger's fear of heights.
As the aircraft passed over the Oppenheimer Sports Stadium in Orkney, the engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot attempted to perform a forced landing in the area behind the stadium. During this critical phase, the passenger panicked and pulled on the aircraft's training bars. This interference caused the pilot to lose control, leading the aircraft to strike a railing on the stadium's upper stand and a 5-meter flagpole before hitting the ground. The impact resulted in two serious injuries, though there were no fatalities.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and the fuel system to determine the cause of the power loss. The investigation focused on the condition of the engine and the fuel components.
Technicians inspected the carburettor bowls and discovered a piece of fluff lodged in one of the main fuel jets. Furthermore, the fuel filter and the carburettor bowls contained significant amounts of dirt. The pilot noted that the aircraft frequently operated from unpaved, dirt, and gravel runways, which likely contributed to the presence of debris in the fuel system. The investigation also confirmed that the aircraft's maintenance records were up to date and that the weather conditions were favorable at the time of the incident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine power loss was fuel contamination caused by dirt and debris in the fuel filter and carburettor.
- The passenger's sudden movement on the training bars aggravated the emergency and led to the loss of aircraft control.
- The aircraft's undercarriage, wing, and trapezium bar sustained damage during the collision with the stadium structure and the ground.