What happened
On 12 April 2011, a pilot conducting a solo training flight departed from a private airstrip near Nietverdiont Village in the North West province. Approximately 18 minutes into the flight, while cruising at 4,900ft AMSL with an indicated airspeed of 70 kt, the pilot experienced a sudden loss of engine power.
Realizing the aircraft could not glide back to the departure airfield, the pilot opted to perform a forced landing in a clearing between bushes. The Cheeta XLS, registration ZU-DMP, touched down heading north at 40kt. While the landing roll was underway, the nose wheel struck a tree stump, causing the aircraft to nose over onto its back. The pilot escaped with only minor injuries, though the aircraft sustained significant damage to the nose cone, undercarriage, and propeller.
The investigation
SACAA AIID conducted an off-site investigation into the incident. The inquiry examined the aircraft's maintenance history, noting that the last annual inspection had been completed roughly eight months prior. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's credentials, confirming a valid microlight license and medical certificate were in place.
Regarding the engine failure, investigators could not definitively establish a mechanical cause due to the off-site nature of the inquiry. However, the pilot reported that the loss of power was the result of fuel starvation. The investigation also confirmed that the aircraft was a non-type certificated aircraft (NTCA) being operated privately.