Incident Overview
On 30 April 2005 at 0340Z, a Fairchild SA227 aircraft, registration ZS-OJH, was involved in an incident during the landing roll on Runway 29 at George Aerodrome. The flight was a domestic operation from Bloemfontein Aerodrome. Weather conditions were fine with a surface wind of 360° at 10 knots and a temperature of 25°C. There were two persons on board, and no injuries or fatalities were reported.
Sequence of Events
The pilot-in-command, accompanied by a pilot not flying (PNF), departed from Bloemfontein Aerodrome for a domestic flight to George Aerodrome. At approximately 0335Z, upon arrival at George Aerodrome, the crew conducted a visual approach for landing onto Runway 29. During the landing roll, at a ground speed of approximately 80 knots, the pilot selected full reverse thrust on both engines. Immediately after, a thump sound was heard followed by vibrations from the right-hand engine. The right-hand engine's Intermediate Turbine Temperature (ITT) began to increase, prompting the pilot to shut down the engine. The aircraft then taxied to the parking area, where the left-hand engine was also shut down.
Damage and Cause
A visual inspection revealed that one propeller blade on the right-hand engine was damaged due to an animal strike. Evidence of the strike, consistent with an antelope, was found on the fuselage under-surface, though no visible damage was evident there. The incident was attributed to a collision with an animal (antelope) running across the runway during the landing roll.