What happened
On 30 November 2010, a PA 46-310P (Piper Malibu), registration ZS-LLA, departed from runway 29 at Wonderboom Aerodrome for a private acceptance flight following recent maintenance. Shortly after the aircraft rotated, the engine failed. The pilot attempted to manage the emergency by adjusting the fuel tank selector and setting the flaps to 40 degrees, eventually performing a forced landing in an open area of veld along the extended centerline of the runway.
Upon touching down at high speed, the pilot identified approaching obstacles, including trees, telephone wires, and a concrete structure. In an effort to avoid these hazards, the pilot pulled up the nose of the aircraft. This maneuver resulted in a heavy impact with the ground, causing the nose wheel to collapse and the aircraft to swing 90 degrees before coming to a stop. The pilot sustained no injuries.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft's mechanical state and the pilot's actions during the emergency. Post-accident engine test runs showed the engine operated normally across all power settings, and switching the fuel selector between tanks did not cause the engine to fail. The investigation also looked into the fuel levels and the pilot's recollection of the fuel selector position. While the pilot initially believed he had switched to the left tank to rectify the failure, the selector was found in the right-hand position immediately after the crash. The pilot later noted he could not precisely recall his actions due to the high-stress nature of the emergency.
Findings
- The aircraft was properly maintained, with a mandatory periodic inspection completed just five days prior to the accident.
- The pilot held a valid commercial license and medical certificate.
- The weather conditions were clear with good visibility, and did not contribute to the event.
- The primary cause was an unsuccessful forced landing following an engine failure shortly after rotation.
- The investigation could not rule out fuel mismanagement as a contributing factor, specifically the possibility of the fuel selector being moved to the OFF position during the emergency.