History of Flight
On 3 February 2016 at approximately 0945Z, a Piper PA-32-300, registration ZS-PME, departed Runway 36 at Brakpan Aerodrome (FABB) on a private flight. The aircraft had been refueled to full capacity with 84 US gallons of fuel, and a pre-flight inspection was performed. After takeoff, witnesses in the nearby Wattville township observed the aircraft flying very low over the residential area, appearing to have difficulty gaining altitude. The right main landing gear wheel then struck the top of a street light pole about 10 metres above ground. Subsequently, the right wing dropped and impacted a brick wall, causing the wingtip to break off. The right wing then struck the roof of a shack. The aircraft rolled inverted before the right wing collided with a tree, resulting in the wing separating from the fuselage. The main wreckage came to rest approximately 120 metres from the first point of impact. A post-impact fire erupted when the aircraft hit the tree. Local community members pulled the occupants from the wreckage and attempted to extinguish the fire with buckets of water. Emergency services arrived but found the occupants had already succumbed to their injuries.
Injuries and Damage
All three occupants—the pilot and two passengers—were fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed by the impact sequence and the subsequent fire. Additionally, the street light pole, a brick wall, and the roof of a shack were damaged.
Investigation Findings
The aircraft was within its 100-hour inspection period. The engine and propeller had substantial time remaining before overhaul. The pilot held a valid Private Pilot Licence with a night rating and had 4130.90 total flying hours, with 388.6 hours on type. The total hours on type in the past 90 days were unknown.
Weight and balance calculations considered two baggage storage scenarios. In both scenarios, the aircraft's takeoff weight was approximately 3389.4 lbs, which is 10.6 lbs below the maximum certified takeoff weight of 3400 lbs. However, if baggage was stowed in the rear compartment, the aircraft would have been outside its centre of gravity (CG) limits. The investigation concluded that the aircraft was operated close to its maximum weight, outside its CG limit, and at a high-density altitude, leading to poor takeoff and climb performance.
Meteorological Information
The weather at the time, reported from nearby O.R. Tambo International Aerodrome, was CAVOK with few clouds, wind from 300° at 10 knots, temperature 27°C, dew point 10°C. Satellite and radar imagery showed clear skies over Brakpan.
Probable Cause
The aircraft was operated close to its maximum weight limit, outside of its centre of gravity (CG) limit, and at a high-density altitude, leading to a poor take-off and climb performance which resulted in a crash.