What happened
On the morning of 23 March 2025, a Jabiru J430 with registration ZU-MJM was conducting a private flight from R100 Nandoni airstrip toward Louis Trichardt Aerodrome. While climbing to 2,000 feet near Makhado Military Aerodrome, the engine began running roughly and the RPM dropped. The pilot attempted to use carburettor heat and adjust the throttle, but the engine eventually stopped completely.
Unable to reach the intended runway due to the loss of power, the pilot identified a field in the Levubu residential area for an emergency landing. During the descent, the pilot encountered trees obstructing the path to the original runway and transitioned to the field landing. As the aircraft approached the ground, the pilot executed a right bank to avoid a tree on the left. This maneuver caused the right wing and main landing gear to strike the ground with significant force, while the left wing tip and horizontal stabilizer collided with a tree stem. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact.
The investigation
The South African Civil Aviation Authority Accident and Incident Investigations Division (SACAA AIID) conducted an investigation into the crash. Investigators examined the wreckage, which showed extensive damage, including a severed right wing, broken engine mounts, and a destroyed instrument panel. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's credentials and the aircraft's maintenance history.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an engine failure that left the aircraft without power.
- The pilot was operating with an expired Private Pilot Licence.
- The aircraft had sufficient fuel for the intended flight.
- Weather conditions were clear and were not a contributing factor to the accident.
- The aircraft had undergone a maintenance inspection approximately 45.7 hours prior to the event.
- The use of safety harnesses likely improved the survival of the occupants, despite the pilot and one passenger sustaining serious injuries and the third passenger sustaining minor injuries.