What happened
On 3 November 2013, a pilot conducted a local test flight departing from Springs aerodrome in Gauteng. The flight was intended to verify engine performance following recent adjustments made to the engine control unit (ECU) on the ground. Shortly after takeoff, at an altitude of approximately 300 feet, the engine failed.
In the attempt to restore power, the pilot lost control of the aircraft's heading, allowing it to drift right of the runway centerline. The Micsa Pacemaker, registration ZU-CKH, descended into a stand of blue gum trees roughly 60 meters past the runway threshold. The impact caused the aircraft to nose-dive and cartwheel, resulting in a post-impact fire that destroyed the wreckage. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID examined the mechanical state of the aircraft and the maintenance records. Investigators performed a teardown of the Lexus V8 engine and found evidence of significant overheating, including glazed calcium deposits in the water jackets and ceramic-like deposits in the outlet manifolds.
The inquiry also scrutinized the aircraft's documentation. It was discovered that the logbook lacked essential information, such as records for a recent elevator replacement and the conversion from an Audi engine to the Lexus V8. Furthermore, there were no recorded mass and balance data for the aircraft. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's annual inspection had not been certified by the approved person.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was a lean running mixture, likely caused by incorrect fuel mapping within the engine control unit.
- The pilot failed to maintain the runway heading during the emergency, which led to the collision with trees.
- The aircraft was likely not airworthy due to significant omissions in the maintenance logbooks.
- The investigation highlighted serious concerns regarding the airworthiness oversight of the aircraft builder and the regulatory process used to issue the Authority to Fly.