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| Date: | Saturday 21 October 2023 |
| Time: | c. 09:20 LT |
| Type: |  Beechcraft C23 Sundowner |
| Owner/operator: | 4Aviators |
| Registration: | ZS-JKE |
| MSN: | M-1708 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1975 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 2982 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-360-A2G |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 2 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed, written off |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Bloemfontein-Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN/FABL) -
 South Africa
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Bloemfontein-Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN/FABL) |
| Pretoria-Wonderboom Airport (PRY/FAWB) | |
| Investigating agency: | CAA S.A. |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The aircraft took off from Bloemfontein (FABL) runway 02. Whilst the aircraft was climbing and at approximately 350 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. The PM who was more experienced took control of the aircraft and made a right turn to conduct a forced landing on an open field. The aircraft lost height rapidly and crash-landed outside the grounds of FABL before it burst into flames. The PM was assisted by the eyewitness to vacate the aircraft; however, the PF remained trapped inside the aircraft.
The PF was fatally injured, and the PM sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by impact and post fuel-fed fire that erupted.
The aircraft was destroyed by post-impact fire.
Probable Cause
The engine lost power during the climb as a result of a loss of compression on cylinder number 4 (four) which was caused by the exhaust valve that was stuck in open position. A forced landing was initiated, which was unsuccessful.
Contributing factor
The pilot’s decision to depart FABL with a known engine defect
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/886658-2/
https://avcom.co.za/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=261061
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/Beech_C23_Sundowner_ZS-JKE_%2823449346836%29.jpg/800px-Beech_C23_Sundowner_ZS-JKE_%2823449346836%29.jpg?20170328133905 (photo)
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 27 June 2004 | ZS-JKE | 0 | On a gravel Runway at Beaufort West Aerodrome | |
Location
Images:
Photo: NTSB
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 21-Oct-2023 13:35 | Captain Adam | Added |
| 21-Oct-2023 14:17 | RobertMB | Updated |
| 22-Oct-2023 06:30 | RobertMB | Updated |
| 23-Oct-2023 07:05 | Anon. | Updated |
| 23-Oct-2023 07:06 | Joey2241 | Updated |
| 15-Nov-2023 20:21 | harro | Updated [Other fatalities, Phase, Departure airport, Destination airport, Narrative, Accident report, ] |
| 15-Nov-2023 20:21 | harro | Updated [Other fatalities, Location, ] |
| 18-Nov-2023 20:21 | Captain Adam | Updated [Narrative, Photo, ] |
| 08-Oct-2024 15:39 | ASN | Updated [Narrative, ] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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