Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft involved was a Jabiru SP, registration ZU-COX. The pilot was a 26-year-old male student pilot holding a valid student licence, with a total flying experience of 21 hours, all on type. The aircraft was operating under a training flight at Swartkop Aerodrome (FASK).
History of Flight
The student pilot had completed a solo check with an instructor, after which he landed to drop off the instructor and continued with solo circuits. He taxied to the holding point of runway 02, applied full throttle, and began the takeoff roll. As the aircraft entered the asphalt surface onto the runway, it bounced slightly and veered slightly to the left. The pilot attempted to correct with right rudder but overcorrected. Before reaching takeoff speed, he applied left rudder, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway onto the grass. He pulled the throttle back to stop, but accidentally pushed it forward again. The aircraft then struck a concrete marker with the right main landing gear, which collapsed. The nose wheel collapsed and the propeller struck the ground before the aircraft came to a stop.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained damage to the right-hand landing gear, nose wheel, right-hand wing, and propeller. No injuries were reported among the pilot or others. The pilot was properly restrained and uninjured.
Meteorological Conditions
At the time of the incident, the wind was calm, visibility and clouds were CAVOK, and the temperature was 20°C.
Probable Cause
The probable cause, as stated in the investigation report, is that the student pilot lost directional control during the take-off roll, and over-corrected the aircraft, which then veered off to the left of the runway and struck a concrete marker.