Loss of Control During Takeoff Destroys Glasair II-S FT in Eastern Cape

Casualties unknown • Wings Park Aerodrome to the left of Runway 27, ZA

A private flight departing from Wings Park Aerodrome ended in a crash after the pilot lost directional control during the takeoff roll, resulting in serious injuries to both occupants.

What happened

On 1 May 2019, a Glasair II-S FT, registration ZU-DVO, was preparing for a private flight from Wings Park Aerodrome in the Eastern Cape to East London Aerodrome. The flight was being conducted under visual meteorological conditions with favorable weather.

As the aircraft began its takeoff roll on Runway 27, it failed to maintain the runway centerline and began drifting toward the left. During the rotation phase, the aircraft rolled significantly to the left, causing the left wing to scrape the grass runway surface. Despite the loss of airspeed and stability, the pilot continued the takeoff attempt. As the aircraft climbed, the left wing struck trees lining the edge of the runway. The impact caused the aircraft to lose control and crash into a field approximately 80 meters from the runway centerline. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact.

The investigation

An investigation by the SACAA AIID established that the pilot, who held a valid private pilot license and a class 2 medical certificate, had 10.6 hours of experience on this specific aircraft type. The aircraft was found to be airworthy, with no recorded defects and a valid certificate of release to service.

Investigators determined that the aircraft required 333 meters of runway to rotate, and the rotation occurred at approximately 300 meters. Although there was more than 500 meters of runway remaining at the time of the initial deviation, the pilot elected to continue the takeoff rather than aborting the maneuver. The investigation confirmed that the left wing strike on the trees led to a further depletion of airspeed, ultimately resulting in the crash.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the accident was that the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft during the takeoff roll.
  • The aircraft's left wing scraped the runway surface during rotation, which induced a leftward drift and loss of airspeed.
  • The pilot continued the takeoff rotation despite the deviation from the centerline.
  • Both the pilot and the passenger sustained serious injuries during the accident.
  • The aircraft was completely destroyed during the sequence of events.

Probable cause

The pilot lost directional control of the aircraft during the takeoff roll, leading to a leftward roll that scraped the wing on the runway and a subsequent impact with trees during the initial climb.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2019-05-01 Glasair II-S FT accident near Wings Park Aerodrome to the left of Runway 27, ZA?

A private flight departing from Wings Park Aerodrome ended in a crash after the pilot lost directional control during the takeoff roll, resulting in serious injuries to both occupants.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2019-05-01 involved a Glasair II-S FT, registration ZU-DVO, at Wings Park Aerodrome to the left of Runway 27, ZA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot lost directional control of the aircraft during the takeoff roll, leading to a leftward roll that scraped the wing on the runway and a subsequent impact with trees during the initial climb.

Loading the flight search…