What happened
On 28 February 2009, a private sightseeing flight departed from runway 3 and took off from Indabushee Lodge, a private game farm near Vaalwater, Limpopo. The aircraft, a Raptor microlight registered ZU-CHW, was carrying a pilot and one passenger.
Shortly after takeoff, while at an altitude of approximately 200 feet, the pilot observed a drop in airspeed and felt the aircraft was unable to maintain its climb. In an attempt to avoid further altitude loss, the pilot initiated a 90-degree turn to return to the airstrip for an emergency landing. During this maneuver, the aircraft lost speed and altitude rapidly. The pilot attempted to flare the aircraft just before impact to mitigate the descent, but the aircraft struck treetops before hitting the ground in a nose-down attitude. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and the mechanical state of the aircraft. The inspection of the Raptor revealed significant damage to the undercarriage and the tubular airframe, including a broken propeller blade and a detached nose wheel. However, the investigation found no evidence of structural failure or fuel contamination prior to the impact.
Engine performance was a key focus of the inquiry. Following an engine test bench run, investigators confirmed that the Rotax 912 UL engine was in good working order and delivering normal power. The aircraft was also found to be within its permitted weight and balance limits, and all maintenance records, including the most recent annual inspection, were up to date.