What happened
On 20 April 2011, a Cessna 210M, registration N96CC, was attempting a departure from New Bradford farm near Wesley in the Eastern Cape. The pilot, accompanied by five passengers, intended to fly to East London aerodrome as part of a larger journey to Durban. After completing pre-flight inspections and receiving weather updates via the internet that suggested suitable VFR conditions, the aircraft taxied into the wind on the farm's runway.
During the take-off roll, the aircraft began a normal acceleration down the slope. However, upon reaching rotation, the left wing dropped, causing the aircraft to roll toward the right side of the runway. The pilot was unable to correct the deviation, leading the aircraft to impact the runway surface and skid approximately 35 meters. The sequence ended when the aircraft struck a mound of sand, causing it to flip onto its back. Following the impact, the left wing caught fire, but the pilot successfully used a handheld extinguisher to suppress the flames. All six occupants disembarked from the inverted aircraft without any injuries.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID was initiated after the wreckage was spotted from the air by a training aircraft five days later. Investigators examined the wreckage at a facility in Pretoria, noting that the aircraft's airframe, engine, and flight controls remained largely intact despite the substantial damage to the undercarriage, propeller, and tail section.
Technical analysis confirmed that the aircraft was within its maximum certified take-off mass and that the center of gravity was within the allowable envelope. Inspections of the fuel system and engine revealed no evidence of power loss, electrical failure, or contaminated fuel. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's maintenance records showed compliance with all relevant airworthiness directives.