Incident Details
On 22 June 2002, at 0705Z, a Piper PA28-161 aircraft, registration ZS-KFF, was involved in an incident off Runway 18 at Kudu Ranch private aerodrome near Lydenburg. The flight was a private operation with two persons on board. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
Sequence of Events
The pilot attempted to land on the grass runway of the private aerodrome. During the first landing attempt, the aircraft was too far to the left of the centerline, prompting the pilot to execute a go-around. The pilot then landed the aircraft on the runway during the second attempt. After landing, the pilot noticed a tear in the lower left-hand wing skin. An inspection of the area to the left of the runway revealed a sign board concealed by the long grass.
Probable Cause
The aircraft drifted to the left of the runway during the first attempt to land, and the lower wing skin was damaged by a signboard concealed in the long grass next to the runway.