What happened
On the morning of 23 October 2010, a Zenair C701 departed from the Koedoesvlei private aerodrome in the Western Cape for a series of circuit and touch-and-go maneuvers. The pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, had completed a thorough pre-flight inspection and loaded 60 litres of fuel prior to departure. The flight proceeded without incident through several initial maneuvers.
However, while executing a final approach from the south, the aircraft struck power lines situated approximately 50 feet above the ground. The impact caused the aircraft to strike the ground in a nosedown attitude. While the aircraft was destroyed, the pilot escaped the wreckage without any injuries.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the impact and the condition of the aircraft. Investigators confirmed that the weather conditions were clear with good visibility, and therefore did not contribute to the accident. The aircraft, registered as ZU-FHD, was found to be properly maintained according to manufacturer procedures, with no mechanical malfunctions or defects identified prior to the collision.
Physical evidence at the site showed that the impact caused significant damage to the Zenair C701, including the destruction of the undercarriage, the three-bladed wooden propeller, and the windscreen, along with substantial damage to the wings and engine mountings. The investigation also noted that the pilot was familiar with the local area and the specific obstacles, such as the power lines, present near the aerodrome.