What happened
On 2 October 2010, a Windlass Trike microlight, registration ZU-AZZ, was conducting a training flight near Centurion, Gauteng. The flight, operated by an aviation training organisation, began at the Aero 57 private aerodrome with the intention of performing circuits and landings at a nearby private runway in the Mnandi area.
During the fifth takeoff attempt from the Mnandi runway, the instructor pilot reported hearing an unidentified noise. Immediately following this sound, the aircraft veered violently to the right of Runway 3 5. Despite attempts by the crew to correct the deviation using opposite nose wheel steering, the aircraft lost directional control and struck an embankment to the right of the runway. The impact caused the aircraft to bounce into the air with the right wing low before the nose wheel hit the ground. The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the sequence.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID examined the circumstances of the crash and the airworthiness of the aircraft. Investigators, including airworthiness inspectors, performed a detailed inspection of the wreckage after it had been recovered from the scene by the owner.
While the investigation was hampered by the fact that the wreckage was removed from the site before investigators arrived, the inspection of the components revealed no mechanical defects or structural breakages that could be identified as the cause of the accident. The investigation also noted several irregularities regarding the aircraft's maintenance history, including unapproved modifications and undocumented component changes.