The RV sport plane's engine failed while flying above the vacation destination, causing the pilot to do a "forced lob," aviation jargon for a forced landing.
Sgt Chries Spies, a spokeswoman for SAPS, verified the incident, stating local officers were dispatched to Bowtie Drive "at approximately 11:52" to find the jet had landed on a public road.
According to Spies, no injuries were recorded.
However, photos obtained at the site and circulated on the aviation community Avcom indicate significant damage to the plane.
The right wing sustained a significant gash, most likely from landing and colliding with and uprooting a small tree.
When the plane's nose collided with an electronic gate and pushed it off its tracks, the propeller and engine cowling were severely damaged.
Many Avcom posters, many of whom are pilots, commented on how lucky the pilot and passenger were to "walk away" from the situation. According to Avcom user "30foursouth," the accident aircraft flew "quite low" over Nature's Valley's beach in the morning.
At least one user applauded the pilot for landing the plane in such a tight place, stating, "Great execution by pilot - well done to you, sir."
Vans, a US light plane manufacturer, sells all-aluminum RV aircraft as homebuild kits. The RV kit has been completed and flown 10,600 times, making it one of the most popular home-built aircraft in history.
Before ascending away on the return trip, the aircraft conducted a moderate aerobatic maneuver known as a wing-over above the shore.
"When it started climbing, the engine sounded a little harsh, and I was shocked that it then proceeded to route inland."The incident, according to Spies, has been forwarded to the SA Civil Aviation Authority (Sacaa) for inquiry.
Members of Avcom speculated on whether the jet had ran out of fuel, with some believing that fuel had been taken during the night because the plane had not been locked up in a hangar.
Before taking off, pilots must perform preflight inspections, including physically verifying the quantity of gasoline in the plane's tanks.
