What happened
On 6 January 2012, a private flight over Roodedam farm in the Thabimbi district resulted in an aircraft accident. The pilot, operating a Bantam B22J microlight, registration ZU-DDO, departed from a private airstrip on the property to locate animals reported to be roaming the area.
While flying at a low altitude, the pilot spotted animals and attempted to get a closer view by executing a slow, steep turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft's nose and propeller collided with a tree. Following the impact, the microlight came to rest in an open, grassy field. The pilot sustained one serious injury to his left ankle, while the aircraft suffered substantial damage to its engine, propeller, and nose section.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID established that the aircraft was being operated privately and was maintained by an authorized person. At the time of the occurrence, the pilot held a valid microlight license and medical certificate. The aircraft's maintenance records showed that the last annual inspection had been completed approximately 13 hours prior to the accident.
Meteorological data indicated favorable flying conditions, with clear visibility and light winds. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was mechanically serviceable and had sufficient fuel for the intended flight. There were no reports of malfunctions or equipment failures prior to the collision.
Findings
- The accident was caused by the pilot executing a poor technique steep turn maneuver at a low altitude, which led to the collision with a tree.
- The aircraft's nose, engine, and propeller sustained significant damage during the impact.
- The pilot's left ankle was seriously injured, though the impact was considered survivable due to the low forward speed and the fact that the cockpit remained intact.