What happened
On 2 September 2009, a Mooney M20R, registration ZS-OEG, departed Kuruman Aerodrome for Port Alfred under visual flight rules. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft experienced an autopilot failure and a loss of electric trim. The pilot transitioned to manual flight, noting that similar issues had occurred previously without significant impact.
While flying near Orania, approximately 50 nautical miles southwest of Kimberley, the pilot detected the smell of burning plastic and observed hazy smoke emerging from the passenger side behind the glare shield. In response, the pilot requested a diversion to Kimberley and deactivated the master switches. As the smoke intensified, the pilot identified a nearby farm landing strip and decided to execute an emergency landing. After re-engaging the master switches and declaring an emergency, the pilot performed a successful short-side landing on the strip, coming to a stop 300 meters from touchdown.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the sequence of events following the landing. Although the aircraft sustained no damage during the touchdown, the smoke within the cabin darkened and increased in volume. The pilot attempted to suppress the fire by using a handheld extinguisher on the avionics stack, but flames soon began to emerge from the passenger side. The pilot evacuated the aircraft to retrieve personal belongings before retreating.
Ten minutes after the aircraft came to rest, the entire fuselage was engulfed in thick black smoke and flames. The fire spread from the front to the rear of the aircraft, eventually causing structural failure in the wings and the loss of the engine and propeller. The investigation confirmed the pilot was properly licensed and that the aircraft had been maintained by a licensed facility with no recent reported malfunctions.
Findings
- The pilot successfully executed a normal landing despite the developing emergency.
- Smoke in the cockpit led to the decision to perform an emergency landing.
- The aircraft was destroyed by fire following the landing, despite the pilot's initial attempt to use a fire extinguisher.
- The fire was contained by the firewall on the cabin side, but the intensity of the blaze resulted in the total loss of the airframe.