What happened
On 13 December 2009, an Extra 300 aircraft, registration ZU-EXT, departed Rand aerodrome for a flight to Parys aerodrome under visual flight rules. The flight began without incident, and air traffic control at Rand reported a normal takeoff. Following departure, the aircraft was observed performing a flypast over runway 29 at Tedderfield aerodrome.
A witness on the ground, a pilot conducting pre-flight inspections, observed the aircraft performing high-speed, low-level maneuvers. The aircraft was seen climbing and executing a series of abrupt movements, including a right bank followed by a sharp left bank. During the left bank, the aircraft's nose dropped significantly, and it performed a half-roll/flick to the right while in a vertical position. The witness noted that the engine appeared to be functioning normally during these maneuvers. Shortly after these movements, the aircraft disappeared from view and struck the ground in an open field near the Walkerville area.
Two medical doctors arrived at the scene first and discovered that both pilots had sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact.
The investigation
The investigation into the crash of ZU-EXT focused on the aircraft's mechanical state, the flight conditions, and the sequence of the maneuvers. Investigators examined the wreckage and found that the aircraft struck the ground in a nose-down attitude. Evidence from the propeller indicated that the engine was producing high power at the moment of impact.
Technical inspections of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical failure or system malfunctions. The aircraft had been maintained according to approved schedules, with its last annual inspection completed in July 2009. Meteorological data confirmed that weather conditions were clear with good visibility, and therefore did not contribute to the accident. Additionally, the investigation found that both pilots held valid licenses and medical certificates, and no pre-existing medical issues were identified that could have impaired their ability to fly.
Findings
- The aircraft was in a functional state with no documented mechanical defects.
- Weather conditions were favorable and did not play a role in the accident.
- The accident was caused by performing an aerobatic maneuver at an altitude too low to allow for recovery.