What happened
On the morning of 20 September 2021, a pilot was conducting circuit training at Hoedspruit Civil Aerodrome in Limpopo Province. The aircraft, a Bantam B22J with registration ZU-CZY, had completed three successful touch-and-go landings without issue. However, during the fourth circuit, while on final approach for Runway 35 at approximately 500 feet, the engine suddenly stopped.
Following the loss of power, the pilot managed to glide the aircraft toward the Southern Cross Private School rugby field. The forced landing was successful, and the aircraft sustained no damage. The pilot escaped the aircraft without any injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and its Jabiru 2200A engine at the aerodrome. A post-incident inspection of the fuel system revealed that the 95 octane unleaded fuel was of the correct grade and free of contaminants, with sufficient fuel remaining in the tanks. No leaks were found in the fuel or oil systems, and all electrical connections and spark plugs were found to be in satisfactory condition.
Subsequent testing was performed on the engine. During a ground run-up test, the engine initially operated normally through various power settings. However, after approximately 20 minutes of operation, the engine stopped again without any prior warning or visible abnormality. The engine was later transported to a specialized agent in George for bench testing, where it functioned perfectly under various RPM settings, meeting all manufacturer specifications.
Findings
- The pilot reported a brief fluctuation in engine RPM from 2600 to 2400 and back to 2600 just seconds before the total engine failure.
- All engine parameters, including oil pressure, temperature, and manifold pressure, remained within normal operating limits immediately prior to the stoppage.
- The aircraft had undergone a major 2000-hour engine overhaul only 1.2 hours of flight time prior to the incident.
- The exact cause of the engine stoppage remains undetermined, as subsequent ground tests and bench inspections failed to replicate the failure or identify any mechanical or fuel-related defects.