What happened
On 08 May 2009, a Hornet Trike (registration ZU-AYV) departed from Springs Aerodrome for a private flight to the Hugenote High School sports field in Springs, Gauteng. During the flight, a passenger began dropping paper pamphlets over the school grounds to promote an upcoming rugby match. While flying at an altitude of approximately 6,400 ft AMSL, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of power.
As the pilot attempted an emergency forced landing on the school's sports field, they encountered a wire fence spanning the area. The pilot maneuvered the aircraft to clear the obstacle, but the impact with the ground caused the aircraft to bounce back into the air. The aircraft subsequently struck a steel palisade boundary fence. The pilot sustained minor injuries, while the passenger was uninjured. The aircraft suffered substantial damage to its wings and undercarriage.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft's mechanical state and the circumstances of the flight. The investigation established that the aircraft was not in an airworthy condition at the time of the accident. The carburettor air filters had been removed for replacement with new cone-type filters, but the pilot had failed to reinstall them before departing.
Furthermore, the investigation found that the flight violated several Civil Aviation Regulations. Specifically, the pilot flew at a height of less than 1,000 feet over a built-up area and an assembly of persons, and dropped unauthorized articles from the aircraft without the necessary permission from the Commissioner.