Section/division Accident and Incident Investigation Division Form Number: CA 12-12a AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Aircraft Registration Type of Aircraft ZU-DUF Pilot-in-command Licence Type Pilot-in-command Flying Experience Last point of departure Date of Accident WT9 Dynamic x384 Private Pilot Licence Total Flying Hours Reference: 9 February 2014 Type of Operation Age 65 785 Virginia Aerodrome (FAVG), KwaZulu-Natal CA18/2/3/9288 Time of Accident Licence Valid Hours on Type Private Next point of intended Grass Roots Airfield, Cato Ridge, KwaZulu-Natal landing Location of the accident site with reference to easily defined geographical points (GPS readings if possible) Grass Roots Airfield, Cato Ridge, KwaZulu-Natal GPS position S29 45 00.0 E030 34 00.0 at elevatio n 2600 ft Meteorological The pilot reported fine weather conditions with the temperature 24 C Information and 1/8 cloud and clear visibility Number of people on No. of people No. of people 1+0 0 0 board injured killed Synopsis 0730Z The pilot departed from Virginia aerodrome (FAVG) on a private flight to Grass Roots at Cato Ridge in KwaZulu-Natal. During the landing at Grass Roots he lost directional control of the aircraft, veered off to the left of the runway and collided with some rocks embedded in the grass next to the runway. The pilot evacuated from the aircraft unharmed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the nose landing gear, the propeller and the left-hand wing. Yes 704 Probable Cause Loss of directional control during landing. IARC Date Release Date CA 12-12a 11 JULY 2013 Page 1 of 8
Section/division Accident and Incident Investigation Division Form Number: CA 12-12a AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT Name of Owner Name of Operator : Private Manufacturer Model : WT 9 Dynamic Nationality : South Africa Registration Marks : ZU-DUF Place Date : 9 February 2014 Time : 0730Z : Alron Partnership : Aerospool Spol S.R.O. : Grass Roots, Airfield Cato Ridge, KwaZulu-Natal All times given in this report are Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) and will be denoted by (Z). South African Standard Time is UTC plus 2 hours. Purpose of the Investigation: In terms of Regulation 12.03.1 of the Civil Aviation Regulations (1997) this report was compiled in the interest of the promotion of aviation safety and the reduction of the risk of aviation accidents or incidents and not to establish legal liability. Disclaimer: This report is produced without prejudice to the rights of the CAA, which are reserved. 1. FACTUAL INFORMATION 1.1 History of Flight 1.1.1 On 9 February 2014 at approximately 0645Z the pilot took off from Virginia (Durban) on a private flight to Grass Roots at Cato Ridge in KwaZulu-Natal. During the landing at Grass Roots he lost directional control of the aircraft, veered off to the left of the runway and collided with some rocks embedded in the grass next to the runway. 1.1.2 The accident occurred at GPS position S29 45 00.0 E030 34 00.0 at an elevation of 2600 ft at 0730Z during daylight conditions. 1.2 Injuries to Persons Injuries Pilot Crew Pass. Other Fatal - - - - Serious - - - - Minor - - - - None 1 - - - CA 12-12a 11 JULY 2013 Page 2 of 8
1.3 Damage to Aircraft 1.3.1 The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the nose landing gear, the propeller and left wing. No on-site investigation was performed. Figure 1: View of the damage sustained by the propeller and nose landing gear. 1.4 Other Damage 1.4.1 There was no other reported damage. 1.5 Personnel Information Nationality South African Gender Male Age 65 Licence Number 0270503857 Licence Type Private Pilot Licence Licence valid Yes Type Endorsed Yes Ratings Tug Pilot rating Medical Expiry Date 30 April 2014 Restrictions Previous Accidents Corrective lenses Nil CA 12-12a 11 JULY 2013 Page 3 of 8
Flying Experience Total Hours 785 Total Past 90 Days 11,4 Total on Type Past 90 Days 11,4 Total on Type 704 1.6 Aircraft Information Airframe Type Serial Number WT 9 Dynamic DY-090/2005 Manufacturer Date of Manufacture 2005 Total Airframe Hours (At time of Accident) 828 Aerospool SPOL S.R.O. Last Annual Inspection (Date & Hours)* Unknown Unknown Hours since Last Annual Inspection Unknown Authority to Fly (ATF) (Issue Date)** 28 November 2008 and expired on 22 28 November 2008 November 2009 C of R (Issue Date) (Present owner) 8 August 2008 Operating Categories NTCA (Standard) * The owner indicated on the owner questionnaire that the last annual inspection was carried out on 17 March 2013 at 702 airframe hours. However, although he was requested repeatedly via e-mail to provide the IIC with a copy of a valid authority to fly (ATF), he failed to respond to the request. ** According to information on the SACAA aircraft file, the last ATF was issued on 28 November 2008 and expired on 22 November 2009. Engine Type Rotax 912 ULS Serial Number 5644745 Hours since New 828 Hours since Overhaul TBO not reached yet Propeller Type Woodcomp SR3000 Serial Number RT 664 Hours since New 108 Hours since Overhaul TBO not reached yet CA 12-12a 11 JULY 2013 Page 4 of 8
1.7 Meteorological Information Wind direction Nil Wind speed Nil Visibility Cavok A Temperature 24 C Cloud cover 1/8 Cloud base 5000 ft Dew point Unknown 1.8 Aids to Navigation 1.8.1 The aircraft was equipped with standard navigation equipment as approved by the regulator for the aircraft type. No defects were reported prior to the flight. 1.9 Communications 1.9.1 The aircraft was equipped with standard communication equipment as approved by the regulator for the aircraft type. No defects were reported prior to the flight. 1.10 Aerodrome Information Aerodrome Location Grass Roots, Cato Ridge. KwaZulu-Natal Aerodrome Co-ordinates S29 45 00.0 E030 34 00.0 Aerodrome Elevation 2600 ft Runway Designations 12/30 Runway Dimensions 900 m Runway Used 12 Runway Surface Grass Approach Facilities No facilities 1.11 Flight Recorders 1.11.1 The aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder (FDR) or a cockpit voice recorder (CVR). Neither recorder was required by the relevant aviation regulations. 1.12 Wreckage and Impact Information 1.12.1 During the landing on Runway 12 at Grass Roots, the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft. 1.12.2 The aircraft veered off to the left of the runway and collided with some rocks embedded in the grass next to the runway. 1.12.3 No on-site investigation was carried out. CA 12-12a 11 JULY 2013 Page 5 of 8
1.13 Medical and Pathological Information 1.13.1 Not applicable in this accident. 1.14 Fire 1.14.1 There was no pre- or post-impact fire. 1.15 Survival Aspects 1.15.1 The accident was regarded as survivable due to the low kinetic forces on the aircraft during the accident. 1.15.2 The pilot was properly restrained by the aircraft s safety harness. 1.15.3 The pilot evacuated the aircraft without any injuries after the accident. 1.16 Tests and Research 1.16.1 No further test(s) or research was carried out. 1.17 Organisational and Management Information 1.17.1 This was a private flight. 1.17.2 The lack of evidence suggested that the aircraft was not maintained correctly as required by the aircraft manufacturer and the regulator. 1.18 Additional Information 1.18.1 Despite several requests the owner/pilot failed to provide the IIC with a valid ATF. RAASA was also requested by e-mail to assist the IIC in obtaining a valid ATF, but could not find a valid ATF in response to the request. (Put in the finding) 1.18.2 According to information on the SACAA aircraft file, the last ATF was issued on 28 November 2008 and expired on 22 November 2009. This renders the aircraft not airworthy at the time of the accident. 1.19 Useful or Effective Investigation Techniques 1.19.1 None CA 12-12a 11 JULY 2013 Page 6 of 8
2. ANALYSIS 2.1 MAN 2.1.1 According to available documentation the pilot was properly licensed to conduct the flight. He was the holder of a valid medical certificate and also held a tug pilot rating. 2.1.2 There is no accident history on the pilot s records at the regulator. 2.2 MACHINE 2.2.1 The owner indicated that the last annual inspection was carried out on 17 March 2013 at 702 airframe hours. However, he failed to provide the IIC with a copy of a valid ATF. According to information on the SACAA aircraft file, the last ATF was issued on 28 November 2008 and expired on 22 November 2009. 2.3 TASK 2.3.1 The pilot was engaged in a private flight from Virginia (Durban) to Grass Roots at Cato Ridge in KwaZulu-Natal. During the landing he lost directional control of the aircraft and allowed the aircraft to veer off the runway to the left. 2.4 ENVIRONMENT 2.4.1 The runway surface at Grass Roots is grass. During the landing the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft and allowed the aircraft to veer off the runway to the left, where it collided with a rock embedded in long grass next to the runway. 3. CONCLUSION 3.1 Findings 3.1.1 The pilot was engaged in a private flight from Virginia (Durban) to Grass Roots (Cato Ridge) in KwaZulu-Natal. During the landing at Grass Roots he lost directional control of the aircraft. 3.1.2 The pilot was correctly licensed to conduct the flight. He was rated on type and held a valid medical certificate. 3.1.3 Despite several requests the owner/pilot failed to provide the IIC with a valid ATF. RAASA was also requested by e-mail to assist the IIC in obtaining a valid ATF, but could not find a valid ATF in response to the request. 3.1.4 The weather was not considered a contributing factor to the accident. 3.1.5 The lack of evidence suggested that the aircraft was not maintained as required by the manufacturer and the regulator. 3.1.6 The accident was considered survivable due to the low kinetic energy on the aircraft during the accident. The pilot also made use of the aircraft s safety harness. CA 12-12a 11 JULY 2013 Page 7 of 8
3.2 Probable Cause/s 3.2.1 Loss of directional control 3.3 Contributing factor(s) 3.3.1 None 4. SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS 4.1 In the interest of aviation safety it is recommended that the failure of the owner to supply the requested information to the IIC should be addressed by the SACAA enforcement division. 5. APPENDICES 5.1 None CA 12-12a 11 JULY 2013 Page 8 of 8