History of Flight
On 29 September 2005 at 0741Z, a Jabiru SP aircraft (registration ZU-DAX) operated by Aviation Training Organisation CAA/0047 was conducting a training flight with one instructor and one student pilot in the George area. The crew reported mechanical problems with the elevator control system; the aircraft responded only to nose-down input and not nose-up. The instructor managed pitch control by adjusting engine power and executed a hard landing on runway 11 at George Aerodrome (FAGG).
Aircraft Damage
The hard landing caused the nose gear to collapse and the propeller to be damaged, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. No injuries were reported among the two persons on board.
Weather
At the time of the incident, weather conditions were: wind 100°/05 kts, visibility good, temperature 20°C, and CAVOK.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the incident was loss of up-elevator control, which led to a hard landing during which the nose gear collapsed.