What happened
On 6 October 2019, a Piper PA-28-140, registration ZS-EEZ, departed Vryburg Aerodrome (FAVB) for a planned flight to Wonderboom Aerodrome, with an intended fuel stop at Klerksdorp Aerodrome. Shortly after takeoff from Runway 36, the aircraft began a right-hand turn well before reaching the recommended altitude of 500 feet AGL. This maneuver placed the aircraft in a tailwind condition, which increased its ground speed and caused it to approach electrical power lines much faster than anticipated.
At approximately 12 meters above the ground, the pilot performed an evasive maneuver to avoid striking the lines. While the aircraft narrowly missed the wires, the pilot lost control during the sequence. The aircraft continued its rightward descent, impacting a road and two trees approximately 0.9km east of the aerodrome. The wreckage subsequently struck a residential property, causing significant damage to a fence, a garage, a vehicle, and a water tap before coming to a final rest. The accident resulted in one fatality (the pilot) and one serious injury (the passenger).
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage, maintenance records, and meteorological data. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's engine was producing sufficient power at the time of impact, as evidenced by the forward curl of the propeller blade tips. Maintenance logs for the Piper PA-28-140 showed no mechanical deficiencies or anomalies prior to the flight, and the aircraft was within its inspection intervals.
Investigators also noted that the aircraft had sufficient fuel endurance for the intended flight. During the scene examination, broken glass bottles were found in the cabin, and the passenger noted that alcohol had been purchased earlier in the day, though the investigation noted that toxicology results were unavailable at the time of the report.