Summary
On 27 April 2006 at 0745Z, a Cessna 182T (registration ZS-KDC) operated by a private pilot, with one passenger on board, was conducting a private flight from Brakpan Aerodrome to Vryburg Aerodrome. The pilot decided to execute touch-and-go landings on a private runway south of Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, Vaalrand, Gauteng. The weather was fine, with surface wind southerly at 5 knots and temperature 18°C. The incident resulted in damage to the left-hand main landing gear wheel spat and left-hand tail plane. No injuries were sustained.
Sequence of Events
The pilot, accompanied by a passenger, departed Brakpan Aerodrome for Vryburg Aerodrome. En route, the pilot chose to perform touch-and-go landings on a private runway south of Suikerbosrand. He approached the runway and carried out a downwind inspection at approximately 500 feet above ground level (AGL). He then flew a circuit and descended to approximately 50 ft AGL for a final inspection. The runway appeared suitable for landing, so the pilot selected 10° of flap at an indicated airspeed (IAS) of 80 knots on final approach.
The aircraft touched down at an IAS of approximately 75 knots. Just before the pilot applied power for take-off, the left main landing gear wheel sank into a hole obscured by grass. The pilot applied full power when the aircraft yawed to the left. He managed to become airborne again, and the aircraft climbed away normally. After levelling off, he checked that all engine instrument readings were normal and noted that the left-hand main landing gear wheel spat was missing. As the aircraft performed normally, the pilot elected to divert to Rand Aerodrome (FAGM) as a precautionary measure. The aircraft landed normally at Rand Aerodrome without further incident.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft was inspected and found to have the left-hand main landing gear wheel spat missing and the left-hand tail plane dented. The pilot and passenger sustained no injuries. The aircraft had flown 42.3 hours since the last Mandatory Periodic Inspection (MPI), which was certified on 13 January 2006 at 181.3 airframe hours since new.
Probable Cause
During a touch-and-go landing on a private runway, the left-hand main wheel entered a hole obscured by grass on the runway, and the left main landing gear wheel spat sustained damage.