What happened
On the morning of 24 April 2008, a private gyroplane flight departed from Mabalingwe Aerodrome in the Limpopo Province. Shortly after takeoff, the Magni M-1SB (registration ZU-DHK) began to experience engine instability. Witnesses observed the aircraft's engine noise fluctuating and the aircraft losing altitude while performing a right-hand turn. The aircraft subsequently struck several trees before hitting the ground. The impact caused the nose gear to break off and the aircraft to roll onto its side. A rupture in the fuel tank allowed fuel to spill onto the hot engine, triggering a severe post-impact fire that completely destroyed the aircraft.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID established that a change in the flight schedule necessitated an early departure. To accommodate this, the pilot refueled the aircraft using RON 93 fuel available at the nature reserve, rather than the RON 95 fuel required by the engine manufacturer. Investigators examined the wreckage and found that while the impact forces were not inherently unsurvivable, the intense heat of the resulting fire prevented any rescue attempts. Mechanical analysis of the engine ruled out internal mechanical failure as the primary cause of the power loss.
Findings
- The use of lower octane fuel (RON 93) instead of the required RON 95 was a critical factor.
- The combination of the improper fuel grade, the high power demand during takeoff, and the ambient temperature of 25 °C led to engine power loss.
- The two fatalities occurred because the occupants were restrained by safety belts and were unable to escape the intense post-impact fire.
- The aircraft's fuel system vulnerability contributed to the fire, as the impact likely caused fuel to leak onto the engine manifold.