What happened
On 1 June 2008, a private flight departed from Pietermaritzburg Aerodrome bound for the Alverstone Farm private airstrip in KwaZulu-Natal. The flight, conducted under visual flight rules, was estimated to last approximately 10 minutes. As the pilot prepared to land on Runway 29, the aircraft encountered utility lines spanning the threshold of the runway.
The RV-6, registration ZU-AFP, struck Eskom power lines followed by Telkom telephone lines. Following the collision, the aircraft impacted the ground on its left-hand leading edge and skidded roughly three metres before flipping onto its back. The impact forces resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. The pilot sustained serious injuries but survived the crash.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID confirmed that the aircraft was fully serviceable and maintained according to regulations prior to the accident. The pilot was found to be properly licensed and medically fit for the operation. While the pilot reported experiencing a down-draft during the final approach, investigators determined that the prevailing weather conditions—characterized by good visibility and a light crosswind—were not a primary factor in the crash.
Investigators examined the approach path and noted that the airstrip is subject to significant obstacles, including trees and utility lines. Although the pilot was familiar with the Alverstone strip and had landed there previously, the investigation focused on the flight path geometry and the visibility of the hazards during the final stages of the approach.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating with a valid certificate of registration and authority to fly.
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot flying too low during the approach, which led to the collision with the power and Telkom lines.
- A significant contributing factor was the pilot's failure to identify the power lines in the flight path, despite being able to see other nearby obstacles like trees and telephone lines.
- The investigation concluded that the pilot's understanding of the specific obstacles at the runway threshold was inadequate for a safe approach.
Safety action
- It is recommended that the SACAA, in coordination with Eskom, ensure that power lines located on the approach side of the airstrip are clearly and properly marked to prevent future collisions.