What happened
On 14 March 2015, a North Wing 582 Trike (Microlight), registration ZU-DOU, was involved in an accident during a private flight departing from Microland Flight Park (FABA) in Gauteng. The pilot, accompanied by a passenger, was performing a routine flight within the local flying area when the aircraft stalled during the take-off phase. The loss of lift caused the microlight to bank toward the left and impact a crop field near Bapsfontein airfield. The impact into the vegetation caused substantial damage to the aircraft and damaged the surrounding maize crops. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries during the sequence, though the accident was deemed survivable due to the use of shoulder harnesses.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records, the pilot's flying history, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft had been maintained according to regulatory standards, with the most recent inspection completed shortly before the event. Meteorological data indicated favorable flying conditions, with clear visibility and light winds, ruling out weather as a contributing factor.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting that while the pilot held a valid national license, they had only accumulated 9 hours of flight time on this specific aircraft type, much of which was solo. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the aircraft's weight and balance, noting that while no formal mass calculation was performed by the pilot prior to departure, the actual take-off mass was found to be within the permitted limits.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's lack of experience managing the aircraft's configuration and control during take-off with an increased load.
- The pilot struggled to maintain the correct angle of attack and keel control while climbing with the additional weight of a passenger.
- No formal mass and balance calculations were conducted for the flight, as the pilot believed such procedures were not applicable to weight-shift control aircraft.
- The aircraft was properly maintained and the weather conditions were optimal.