SOUTH AFRICAN CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY

ACCIDENT REPORT – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Date of Accident

1 September 2000

Time of Accidents

1515Z

Aircraft Registration

ZU-AWP

Type of Aircraft

Windlass Trike

Pilot-in-command Licence Type

Microlight

Licence Valid

Yes

Pilot-in-command Flying Experience

Total Flying Hours

1 830.0

Total Hours on Type

N/A

Type of Operation

Private

Last point of departure

Tempe Aerodrome

Next point of intended landing

Tempe Aerodrome

Location of the accident site with reference to easily defined geographical points (plus GPS readings if possible)

N1 Highway near Bloemfontein

Meteorological Information

Fine

Number of people on board

One

No. of people injured

Nil

No. of people killed

One

Synopsis

Two aircraft flying in a loose formation accompanied the pilot, who was engaged in a pleasure flight. The two aircraft were flying at a height of approximately 800 – 1 000 feet above ground level while the pilot of the accident aircraft was flying at low level.

Shortly after take-off while flying overhead the Kimberley road (R64) in the direction of Bloemfontein, one of the pilot’s flying at higher altitude made radio contact with him and questioned him on why he was flying at such low level, he informed him that he would ascent within the next few minutes. At the point where the R64 and the N1 highway joined, the accident aircraft turned North. Shortly thereafter one of the pilot’s observed high-tension wires ahead, he was unable to advise the accident pilot in time, who collided with the wires, the aircraft tumbled towards the ground and crashed onto the highway. The pilot was seriously injured and emergency surgery was conducted on his arrival at hospital, the pilot died a few weeks later.

Probable Cause

The pilot failed to maintain an adequate lookout while flying at low-level. (Below the prescribed limitations as stipulated in CAR’s, Part 91.01.10 of 1997). The aircraft collided with high-tension wires and crashed onto the N1 highway.