What happened
On 06 January 2013, a Bantam B22J, registration ZU-EFY, departed Hazyview Airfield for a scenic flight to the Bridal Veil waterfall in the Sabie region of Mpumalanga. The flight began without incident, with the pilot maintaining an altitude of approximately 4300ft AMSL while the passenger took photographs of the landscape.
Following the initial sightseeing, the pilot initiated a right-hand climbing turn to reposition the aircraft for additional photography. During this maneuver, the aircraft began to lose altitude despite the engine being at full power. Attempting to avoid the surrounding tall vegetation, the pilot identified a plantation service road and attempted an emergency landing. However, the aircraft's wing struck treetops, causing a loss of control and resulting in an impact with vegetation short of the road. The occupants evacuated the aircraft without assistance; the passenger sustained a serious injury (a lower back fracture), while the pilot suffered minor injuries.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft, the pilot's training records, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was within its weight and performance limits for the calculated density altitude of 6222ft. Engine inspections revealed no mechanical failures, and evidence from the propeller indicated that the engine was still producing power at the moment of impact.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting that he had obtained his National Pilot License only three months prior to the event. While the pilot's training records indicated satisfactory skills, the investigation found his technical knowledge regarding the specific aircraft was quite limited. A flight test conducted by a SACAA-appointed pilot during the investigation noted that the aircraft lacked a stall warning device and that the buffet preceding a stall was not significant enough for an inexperienced pilot to easily identify.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an unsuccessful forced landing resulting from a failure to maintain flying speed.
- The pilot became fixated on the rising terrain and cockpit distractions, leading to a failure to monitor the airspeed indicator.
- The pilot's lack of familiarity with the Bantam B22J's specific stall characteristics contributed to the inability to recognize the impending stall.
- The aircraft was operating in a high-density altitude environment (6222ft) in an area with steep terrain and tall vegetation.