History of Flight
On 12 May 2016 at approximately 0543Z, a Jabiru SP aeroplane, registration ZU-SES, commenced its take-off roll from Runway 01 at Kitty Hawk Aerodrome, Gauteng province. The private flight was destined for an aerodrome at Mooketsi, Limpopo province, under visual meteorological conditions. According to the passenger, the aircraft had been refuelled to capacity. After taxiing to the holding point, the pilot performed engine power checks, during which no abnormalities were observed or reported. The pilot then communicated his intentions via VHF 120.65 MHz and entered the runway.
Shortly after becoming airborne, the pilot noted that the engine's vibration persisted. The pilot raised the nose, but the aircraft did not appear to gain height. The pilot then initiated a steep left turn, during which the passenger noticed a loss of altitude. The pilot asked the passenger if he could see the runway; the passenger looked over his right shoulder and saw only hangars. Subsequently, the passenger experienced a negative G condition and saw the ground approaching. He lost consciousness before impact.
Injuries to Persons
The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The passenger suffered minor injuries.
Aircraft and Engine Information
The aircraft was a Jabiru SP, serial number 461, manufactured by Shadow Lite cc in 2001. It was equipped with a Jabiru 2200 engine (serial number 22A1203). The aircraft’s total airframe hours at the time of the accident were 2656.5. The last annual inspection occurred on 9 December 2015 at 2632.0 hours. The Authority to Fly was issued on 10 December 2015. The aircraft was operated by the owner, AJ Pienaar.
Weight calculations indicated the aircraft weighed 514.9 kg at takeoff, exceeding the certified maximum all-up weight of 470 kg by 44.9 kg. The aircraft was thus overweight and out of the aft limit envelope.
Engine Examination
Post-accident examination revealed a partial engine power loss. In cylinder number three, the tappet adjuster of the inlet valve was found loose at the bottom of the rocker chamber. This rendered the valve inoperative, causing the cylinder to not function, resulting in the engine providing power on only three cylinders.
Meteorological Information
Weather conditions recorded at Irene, Pretoria at 0600Z were: surface wind 060° at 2 knots, visibility 10000 meters, temperature 15.9°C, dew point 9.1°C, cloud cover 2 octas at a base of 2000 meters.
Wreckage and Impact
The aircraft’s total flight time from EFIS recording to impact was 93 seconds. The front section of the cockpit was significantly damaged; both window posts broke off and the cockpit floor was impaired. The left wing separated from the fuselage at its attachment point. The engine remained in its mounting but sustained heavy impact damage. The propeller tips were separated. The nose landing gear and left main landing gear separated. The aircraft came to rest facing 312° magnetic, with the impact direction estimated at 080° magnetic.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was an unsuccessful forced landing due to a partial engine power loss.