What happened
On 25 May 2014, a Raptor microlight, registration ZU-AWK, was conducting a private flight for circuits and landings at Uitenhage aerodrome in the Eastern Cape. The flight proceeded normally through the first circuit and an initial touch-and-go. However, during the second circuit, after climbing to approximately 75 feet, the pilot initiated a crosswind turn when the engine suddenly stopped.
Attempting to manage the emergency, the pilot opted to land straight ahead. During the descent, a shift in wind direction caused the aircraft to lose altitude rapidly. As the aircraft entered the landing roll, the front wheel struck a deep bunker—created by a bulldozer to repair previous flood damage to the runway—causing the aircraft to nose over. The pilot escaped the wreckage without any injuries.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and the engine components to determine the cause of the power loss. The inspection of the engine revealed that the ignition coil was misfiring. Specifically, the investigation found that the coil had failed and the associated wires had burnt together, which interrupted the electrical continuity required to deliver spark to the plugs.
The investigation also noted that the aircraft had undergone its last annual inspection only a few hours prior to the accident. The damage to the Raptor included a broken propeller blade, a bent front wheel pipe, and significant damage to the wing spreader and wing sail.