History of Flight
On the morning of 1 March 2025, a Sling 2 aircraft registered as ZU-SIG departed from Worcester Airfield (FAWC) in the Western Cape province with a pilot and one passenger aboard. The flight was conducted under visual meteorological conditions as a private operation per Part 94. The planned itinerary was to return to the same airfield. The pilot reported that pre-flight checks revealed no anomalies.
While returning from the general flying area and on the base leg for Runway 15, the pilot detected a distinct smell of burnt electrical wiring in the cockpit. As the aircraft turned onto final approach for Runway 15 at approximately 300 feet above ground level, the pilot selected 20 degrees of flaps. Subsequently, the aircraft's electrical system failed, followed by an engine stoppage. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. Assessing that the aircraft would not reach the runway, the pilot opted for a forced landing on bushy terrain. The aircraft's speed was 72 knots at the time of the forced landing. During the landing roll, the nose gear struck shrubs, causing the aircraft to nose over.
Injuries and Damage
Both occupants exited the aircraft after the accident. They sustained minor injuries. The aircraft suffered substantial damage, including to the nose gear, propeller, fuselage, left wing, and vertical stabilizer.
Location and Additional Information
The accident occurred approximately 400 meters from Runway 15 at Worcester Airfield, at coordinates 33° 39' 06.7" South, 019° 24' 16.1" East, elevation 672 feet. The time of the accident was 0715Z. The aircraft was operated by the Worcester Flying Club. The South African Civil Aviation Authority's Accident and Incident Investigations Division is conducting the investigation; this preliminary report may be updated as new evidence emerges.