What happened
On 17 October 2006, a Piper PA32R-301, registration ZS-NVB, was involved in a landing incident at Krugersdorp Aerodrome (FAKR). The aircraft was being used for a conversion training flight, with the owner of the aircraft undergoing instruction. Following a period of general flying exercises, the crew attempted a landing on Runway 08 amidst crosswind conditions. To maintain the aircraft's level attitude, the crew applied right rudder and aileron input. During the landing sequence, the aircraft bounced, leading to a "wheel b/barrow" motion on the nose wheel. This impact caused the nose landing gear down-lock mechanism to fail under overload, resulting in the collapse of the gear and subsequent propeller contact with the runway surface. There were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators reviewed the maintenance history and operational records of the aircraft and the training organization. The Piper PA32R-301 had 2,945 airframe hours at the time of the event. Records indicated that the most recent Mandatory Periodic Inspection was completed on 15 June 2006, and the aircraft was within its valid Certificate of Release to Service. All relevant Airworthiness Directives and Service Bulletins were documented as being in compliance. The investigation also noted that the Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO) was subject to a SACAA audit in September 2005, and the training school held a valid Aviation Training Organisation Approval at the time of the incident.