Introduction
On 7 June 2009 at approximately 1245Z, a Piper PA28-140 aircraft (registration ZS-PSH) operated by IDW KHAYA DISTRIBUTORS CC took off from runway 08 at Krugersdorp Aerodrome (FAKR) in Gauteng Province, South Africa, for a private visual flight rules (VFR) flight. The aircraft was occupied by a pilot and one passenger.
History of Flight
According to the pilot, the take-off roll was longer than normal due to the runway being slightly uphill. At an indicated airspeed of approximately 65 to 70 mph, the pilot eased back on the control column, and the aircraft became airborne. However, the aircraft was unable to gain height. As the aircraft approached the runway threshold, the pilot was not satisfied with the climb-out performance and attempted to identify any possible fault, but everything appeared normal. The pilot then turned right and focused on landing on a public road past the end of runway 08. He informed the passenger to prepare for an emergency landing. The pilot recalled the aircraft's tail dragging on the road surface.
The passenger stated that after rotation, the pilot pulled back on the control column and the aircraft lifted off but could not gain height. The pilot then pushed forward and again pulled back on the control column, but the aircraft still could not gain height. The passenger observed the airspeed at approximately 65 mph before feeling the tail scrape the road, followed by a bounce. He had no further recollection.
An eyewitness reported that the aircraft took off approximately halfway down the runway. After rotation, the aircraft displayed a steep nose-up attitude, then lowered its nose and made contact with the runway surface again. It took off again with a steep nose-up attitude. The aircraft then banked to the right and disappeared down a valley at the end of the runway. The witness subsequently saw the burning wreckage on the road.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. None of the occupants of the vehicle struck by the aircraft were injured, although two were treated for shock. The aircraft was destroyed in the sequence of the accident and the post-impact fire. The vehicle sustained substantial damage.
Impact and Wreckage
The accident site was on a public road approximately 200 m from the threshold of runway 26, in a valley about 212 ft lower than the runway elevation. The first impact was a simultaneous contact between the aircraft's tail and the road surface and the right wing tip with a rock on the right side of the road. The second impact involved the propeller and the underside of the aircraft with the road surface, after which the aircraft collided with rocks and then head-on with a vehicle. The first evidence of fire was noted at the second impact mark.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was stated as incorrect take-off technique resulting in inadequate flying speed, rendering a forced landing inevitable.