What happened
On 29 January 2013, a PA22-160 (registration ZU-VXU) was performing circuit patterns at Petit Aerodrome in Gauteng Province. While on approach to land on runway 21, the pilot drifted past the extended centerline of the runway. In an attempt to correct the flight path, the pilot applied power for a go-around; however, the aircraft was unable to climb and subsequently entered an aerodynamic stall. The aircraft impacted a maize field located just before the threshold of runway 03. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, escaped the crash without injury.
The investigation
The investigation by SACAA AIID faced significant challenges because the pilot, who also owned the aircraft, moved the wreckage to a hangar without notifying the authorities or obtaining permission to recover the site. Furthermore, investigators learned that the pilot had begun dismantling the aircraft and removing components, such as the wings, from the hangar before the accident was officially reported. The investigation established that the pilot was flying with an invalid license at the time of the occurrence and had not flown for at least 90 days prior to the accident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain flying speed during the maneuver.
- Poor flying technique contributed to the aircraft entering an aerodynamic stall.
- The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wings, the empennage, and the nose landing gear.
- The pilot failed to report the accident to the SACAA as required by regulations.
- The pilot/owner moved the wreckage and dismantled the aircraft without authorization, effectively removing evidence from the scene.