What happened
On 24 September 2015, a Kitfox 2 aircraft, registration ZU-PAT, departed from a private airstrip located approximately 8.6 nautical miles south of Komatipoort, Mpumalanga. The flight was a private operation under Part 62 regulations, with the pilot intending to land at the Numbi Hotel airstrip in Hazyview.
While the flight from Komatipoort was uneventful, the landing phase resulted in an accident. During the touchdown at the Numbi Hotel airstrip, the aircraft experienced a ground loop. The pilot was unable to regain directional control, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway and strike a boundary fence. The aircraft eventually came to a stop in a nearby ploughed field. There were no injuries to the sole occupant.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the loss of control and the condition of the aircraft. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid national pilot licence and a current medical certificate. The aircraft, which had a total of 404.5 airframe hours, had undergone its last annual inspection approximately six months prior to the event.
Technical inspections of the Rotax 582 ULDCD1 engine and the Warp Drive propeller revealed no pre-existing defects in the engine or flight controls. The impact with the fence and the subsequent stop in the field caused significant damage to the aircraft, specifically affecting the propeller, engine, windshield, cabin area, and both wings.