Incident Overview
On 4 May 2006, at 1330Z, a Cessna 172 registered as ZS-NTO was conducting a training flight at Kitty Hawk Aerodrome (FAKT). The aircraft was on final landing Runway 01 with two persons on board. Weather conditions were CAVOK with wind from 350° at 2–3 knots, temperature 21°C, and nil clouds.
Sequence of Events
The student pilot flew a right-hand circuit for Runway 01 without any anomalies. The final approach was slightly high; speed was maintained at 80 knots until short finals, when it was reduced to 75 knots. The initial flare was good at approximately 5 feet AGL, but upon runway contact, the aircraft ballooned to about 8 feet AGL. The instructor assisted the student in recovering from the balloon and allowed the student to continue the landing, which was managed. The instructor then instructed the student to initiate braking. After approximately 100 meters, the aircraft started to skid. The instructor directed the student to release the brakes slightly and apply pressure progressively; the skid stopped momentarily then resumed. The student took his feet off the brakes, but skidding persisted. At a speed of approximately 10 knots, the instructor initiated a semi ground loop, as the aircraft did not accelerate over the last 300 meters. The instructor successfully avoided a tree, and the aircraft departed the end of the runway at about 5 knots, tipping slightly forward and coming to a halt in the grass.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, starboard wing tip, and nose gear. There were no injuries to the instructor or student.
Probable Cause and Contributory Factors
The probable cause was brake system inefficiency resulting from high-speed braking. A contributory factor was the instructor's failure to intervene timeously when the student used an incorrect landing technique.