Businessman survives forced landing on N1

One of the directors of the Moolman Group of Companies, JZ Moolman is convinced that his high level of training contributed to zero casualties after he recently had to execute an emergency landing with one of the company’s light aircrafts on the N1 South near The Carousel.
Moolman is an experienced pilot who obtained his private pilot’s licence (PPL) at the age of 17 and has, in the 18 years thereafter obtained his PPL for helicopters as well as commercial pilots’ licences for both fixed wings and helicopters. He has also completed his instrument grading during 2018.
Speaking to Polokwane Observer after the incident, Moolman said he took off from Wonderboom Airport at approximately 05:40 on 6 March in a Piper Malibu Jetprop DLX with registration ZS-FSM en route to Polokwane.
“After levelling off at Flight Level 190 and reducing the revolutions per minute (rpm) to 2 000, I noticed that the rpm reduced to 1 900 and was continuing to reduce steadily. I pushed the prop control lever full forward but with no response on the rpm indication. I then scanned the other instruments. The oil temperature gave a maximum indication. I reduced power to idle to see if the oil temperature would reduce. I do not recall exactly what every other engine instrument indication was but given the high oil temperature and constantly falling rpm, my opinion at that time was that there must be some form of mechanical failure and that an engine fire or failure was imminent,” Moolman explained.
“I decided to cut off all fuel supply when the rpm indication had fallen to 1 300 rpm and to turn the aircraft towards the Freeway airfield in Pretoria. During the very early stages of my descend it became apparent that I was having a full scale electrical failure. Several instruments flashed on and off for a few minutes but the transponder remained on. I switched on my IPad for navigation purposes and continued to use it for the remainder of the process.
Halfway through, at approximately 10 000 feet I realised that Freeway was not in reach and I turned directly to the N1. I then continued to descend and positioned myself for a final approach on a straight section of the N1 to land with the flow of traffic heading to Pretoria. I carried out a forced landing with no further damage caused to the aircraft or any other person or property.
“I remained calm during the whole episode and when it became apparent that there was a crisis, my training kicked in and I did the right thing.”
The aircraft is currently back at Wonderboom Airport where some further investigation is taking place to establish the cause of the incident. The engine manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney and the South African Civil Aircraft Authority have been advised and are partaking in the investigations.

Story: BARRY VILJOEN
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