What happened
On 14 February 2009, a Cessna 182P, registration ZS-BRU, departed Cato Ridge Aerodrome for a skydiving operation. Shortly after takeoff from runway 35, while the aircraft was climbing through approximately 900 feet, the engine suddenly ceased operation.
Recognizing the loss of altitude, the pilot instructed the skydivers to exit the aircraft. Two skydivers jumped at roughly 500 feet, successfully deploying their emergency parachutes and landing safely. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in a grass field near KwaXimba Village. During the impact, the aircraft's nose wheel collapsed, causing the right wing to strike the ground and the plane to flip over. The accident resulted in one fatality and five serious injuries.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft's condition and the circumstances leading to the engine failure. The investigation noted that the aircraft had been refueled from drums with 105 litres of Avgas LL 100, though no official record of this upliftment was found.
Calculations revealed that at takeoff, the aircraft was significantly overweight, exceeding its maximum certified takeoff mass by at least 304.1 lbs. The investigation also looked into the configuration of the aircraft, noting it was being operated with one door removed, a practice permitted for skydiving under specific conditions. Furthermore, investigators found that not all occupants were wearing parachutes, and a child passenger was not properly restrained in accordance with safety regulations.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an unsuccessful forced landing following an in-flight engine failure.
- The engine stoppage may have been caused by fuel starvation, potentially due to the fuel selector or firewall shut-off valve being incorrectly positioned.
- The aircraft was operating well above its maximum allowable takeoff weight.
- Safety protocols were breached as some occupants were not wearing parachutes, and a minor passenger was not properly secured.
Safety action
To prevent future occurrences, the investigation suggested that the firewall shut-off valve and the fuel selector valve should be mechanically coupled so that both valves move to the 'ON' or 'OFF' position simultaneously. Additionally, recommendations were made to develop stricter guidelines regarding the number of skydivers permitted on a single flight and to prohibit the transport of non-skydiver passengers, particularly minors, during skydiving operations.