What happened
On 6 June 2009, a Piper PA28-140, registration ZS-PSH, departed from Krugersdorp Aerodrome (FAKR) for a private VFR flight. Shortly after rotation, the aircraft failed to climb despite the pilot's attempts to manage the controls. The pilot, accompanied by one passenger, was forced to execute an emergency landing on a public road located past the end of runway 0．8. During the descent, the aircraft's tail scraped the pavement before the plane collided head-on with a vehicle traveling on the road. The impact triggered a post-impact fire that destroyed the aircraft. While the occupants of the vehicle were uninjured, the pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
The SACAA AIID investigation examined the aircraft's performance, the pilot's training records, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators noted that the takeoff roll was longer than usual because the runway had an uphill gradient. While the aircraft was within its maximum certified mass, evidence suggested the aircraft made contact with the runway twice during the takeoff sequence. The investigation also scrutinized the training records of the pilot's recent type conversion course, finding significant discrepancies in documentation and a lack of evidence regarding proper training completion.
Findings
- The pilot utilized an incorrect take-off technique, which led to an inadequate airspeed and placed the aircraft beyond the power curve.
- The pilot failed to account for external factors, specifically the runway slope and density altitude, during the takeoff phase.
- The takeoff was performed with the flaps in the retracted position.
- There were significant irregularities in the training records provided by the flight school, including a lack of proper documentation for the pilot's conversion course.
- The aircraft was properly maintained and airworthy prior to the event.