What happened
On the morning of 26 February 2026, a private wildlife surveillance flight operating near the Thanda Private Game Reserve ended in a forced landing after an engine failure. The flight, which departed from Hluhluweg Aerodrome (FAHL) in KwaZulu-Natal, was being conducted by a pilot and one passenger.
While performing low-level maneuvers along the game reserve's perimeter fence, the pilot encountered rising terrain and climbed to maintain clearance. Approximately 48 minutes into the mission, the engine lost power. Despite the pilot's attempts to troubleshoot the powerplant and restore functionality, the loss of thrust persisted, necessitating an immediate forced landing. The Savannah S, registered ZU-JBR, struck several trees while descending into the bush-type terrain. The aircraft eventually came to a halt roughly 10 metres from a road and the reserve's boundary fence. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft, including the separation of the nose gear and damage to the propeller and fuselage. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained serious injuries and were transported to a hospital in Richards Bay.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the power loss and the subsequent impact. Investigators reviewed the aircraft's maintenance history, noting that the last 50-hour inspection had been completed approximately 24 hours prior to the accident. The investigation also looked into the aircraft's technical specifications, including its Rotax 912 ULS engine and fuel system. While the wreckage showed that all airframe components were accounted for, the impact forces were responsible for the structural damage observed at the site. The investigation into the specific cause of the engine failure remains ongoing.