History of the Flight
On 23 July 2025, a Diamond DA40 NG aircraft, registered as 5N-BZI and operated by the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) in Zaria, was scheduled for a second solo training flight. The student pilot was performing circuit and landing exercises under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The aircraft departed runway 23 at 13:20 h and completed five uneventful circuits.
At approximately 13:50 h, the student pilot made a full-stop landing and requested clearance from the duty air traffic controller to turn and backtrack toward the apron. The controller approved the request with an instruction to expedite. While maneuvering the aircraft to the right to gain space for a left turn, the nose landing gear entered the grass verge adjacent to the runway. Subsequently, the right main landing gear entered a pothole, approximately 1.4 m long, 0.3 m wide, and 0.2 m deep, which was concealed by overgrown grass at the edge of the paved surface.
Communication between the student pilot and the controller indicated the pilot reported being off the runway at 13:52:28 h. Ground personnel were dispatched to assess the situation. The student pilot exited the aircraft unhurt. The incident occurred in daytime under visual meteorological conditions.
Injuries to Persons
There were no injuries to the student pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft sustained slight damage. All three wooden propeller blades had broken tips. Scratch marks were observed on the nose landing gear wheel assembly.
Other Damage
No other damage was reported.
Personnel Information
The student pilot, a 24-year-old Nigerian national, held a valid Student Pilot's Authorization (Aeroplane) valid until 21 May 2030, and a Class II medical certificate valid until 20 September 2025. The pilot had a total flying time of 27:15 hours, all on type, with 1:15 hours as pilot-in-command.
Aircraft Information
The Diamond DA40 NG (serial number 40.N463), manufactured in 2019 by Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH, Austria, had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness until 20 August 2025. The airframe had accumulated 501:13 hours. The Austro Engine E4-A (serial number E4-A-00678) had 501:13 hours since new. The propeller, an MT-Propeller MTV-6-R/190-69 (serial number 190845), had 500:33 hours since overhaul.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The aircraft landed on runway 23. During the attempted left turn, the nose landing gear veered off the paved surface, causing the forward section to pitch downward and the propeller tips to strike the ground. The right main landing gear then entered a pothole at the runway edge. The aircraft came to a stop 775.5 m from the runway 23 threshold.
Medical and Pathological Information
A toxicology test conducted on the student pilot was negative for psychoactive substances.
Fire
There was no fire.
Survival Aspects
The occurrence was survivable; the cockpit maintained a livable volume, and seatbelts and harnesses remained intact.
Findings
- The student pilot was certified for the flight.
- The flight was the student's second solo training flight.
- After the fifth landing, the student pilot requested to turn and backtrack toward the apron.
- The right main landing wheel entered a pothole at the runway edge.
- The aircraft exited runway 23 at 775.5 m from the threshold.
- No aircraft malfunction was identified.
- The nose and right main landing wheels exited the runway into overgrown grass.
- All three propeller blade tips were broken.
- Scratch marks were present on the nose landing gear wheel assembly.