What happened
On 22 July 2006, a student pilot departed from Rand Aerodrome in a Grumman American AA-5, registration ZS-IXL, to conduct a solo cross-country training mission. The flight plan involved performing touch-and-go landings at Lanseria, Pilanesburg, and Potchefstroom Aerodromes.
The pilot reported that the flight and all intended landing exercises were completed without incident. After approximately 1.8 hours of flight time, the aircraft returned to Rand Aerodrome and landed safely on runway 35. However, upon taxiing the aircraft back to the hangar, personnel from the aircraft maintenance organisation (AMO) observed that the propeller blades were slightly bent backwards.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the flight and the condition of the aircraft. The student pilot, who held a valid medical certificate and student pilot license, stated they were completely unaware of any contact between the propeller and an object during the various landing maneuvers.
Records indicated that the aircraft had undergone its last mandatory periodic inspection (MPI) on 26 June 2006, with 30 flight hours accumulated since that inspection. The maintenance organization responsible for the aircraft's upkeep held valid approvals. There were no injuries to the pilot and no damage to the aircraft other than the deformation of the propeller blades.
Findings
- The investigation established that a propeller strike occurred during the flight operations.
- It could not be determined the specific time or location where the contact with an object took place.
- The pilot did not perceive any impact or event during the touch-and-go landings that would have indicated a strike.