What happened
On 16 December 2017, a pilot operating a Jora UA2 microlight, registration ZU-FGN, departed from The Ranch Resort Aerodrome near Polokwane, Limpopo, bound for Nelspruit Aerodrome. The flight followed an earlier arrival at the resort from Brits Aerodrome, during which the pilot had performed a tire repair on the aircraft's nose wheel.
Shortly after rotation on the second flight of the day, the engine ceased operation. In an attempt to maintain airspeed, the pilot pushed the control column forward to pitch the aircraft nose down. However, the right wing dropped, causing the aircraft to enter a stall. The aircraft subsequently impacted trees located to the right of Runway 06. There were no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained significant damage to the wings, propeller, and tail structure.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators established that the engine stoppage was caused by fuel exhaustion. The investigation revealed that no additional fuel had been added to the aircraft at The Ranch Resort Aerodrome prior to the departure for Nelspruit.
Furthermore, the inquiry found that the pilot lacked the necessary type rating for the Jora UA2 and had not received formal training from an approved training organization. The pilot's recent familiarization flights had been supervised by an individual whose pilot license had expired. Additionally, the investigation noted that the pilot was taking prescribed medication for a medical condition that had not been declared to an aviation medical examiner, and he was unable to produce his pilot logbook for inspection.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was the total depletion of fuel during flight.
- The pilot's attempt to recover airspeed after the engine failure led to an unrecoverable stall due to insufficient altitude.
- The pilot was operating the aircraft without the required type endorsement on his license.
- There was a lack of adequate pre-flight inspection regarding fuel quantity prior to the second leg of the day's operations.
- The pilot's technical knowledge of the aircraft's Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) was insufficient.
Safety action
Following the accident, the SACAA Aviation Medical Division initiated a review of the pilot's license. The pilot was also advised to consult with an aviation medical examiner regarding the impact of his prescribed medication on his fitness to fly.