Piper Cherokee PA28-140 Emergency Landing at Vanderbijlpark (ZS-AKS)

Flight Details and Accident Sequence On 6 September 2009, a Piper Cherokee PA28-140, registration ZS-AKS, departed Rand Aerodrome (FAGM) in Gauteng province at 1245Z for a private flight. The aircraft was operated by Aero Precision CC and was piloted by a female private pilot with 89.8 total flight hours, including 44.5 hours on type. The flight was intended to return to Rand Aerodrome. Approximately 40 minutes after takeoff, while orbiting at 7,000 feet AMSL in the FAGM General Flying Area near Vanderbijlpark, the pilot reported a sudden loss of engine power and an inability to maintain altitude. The pilot broadcast a Mayday call to Rand control tower and initially selected a gravel road for an emergency landing. Upon approaching the road, the pilot identified electric poles and a fence, prompting a turn to the right into a ploughed field. The aircraft landed hard on its right main gear, followed by the left main gear and nose gear simultaneously. The nose gear strut broke, causing the aircraft to nose over. Both occupants unbuckled and exited the aircraft immediately, sustaining minor injuries. The pilot contacted the operator, who alerted police and paramedics. The occupants were transported to Union Hospital for treatment.