Piper PA-28 Runway Excursion at Wonderboom Aerodrome (ZS-JTO)

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On 14 August 2007, a Piper PA-28-160 with registration ZS-JTO experienced a runway excursion at Wonderboom Aerodrome (FAWB). The aircraft was operating on a private flight and was carrying two people on board. The incident occurred at 0730Z, with the aircraft located off Runway 29 at the aerodrome. ## Flight Operations and Approach The pilot-in-command, who held a valid private licence with 80.7 total flying hours and 20.1 hours on type, was accompanied by another pilot on a private flight from Wonderboom Aerodrome to Nylstroom Aerodrome and back to Wonderboom to build up flying hours. On the return flight, the pilot was cleared by Wonderboom ATC on VHF frequency 120.6 MHz to join on a right-hand downwind for landing on Runway 29. ## Incident Sequence During the final approach, the pilot positioned the aircraft for landing on the centreline. However, upon landing, the aircraft touched down to the left of the centreline. The pilot applied corrective action with the rudder but lost directional control of the aircraft, which subsequently veered off the runway. The propeller struck the ground, and the right wing tip impacted the ground. ## Meteorological Conditions and Maintenance The weather was fine, with a temperature of 17°C and a surface wind of 300° at 15 kts. The last mandatory periodic inspection (MPI) prior to the incident was certified on 17 July 2007 at a total of 7,107.0 airframe hours. The aircraft had flown a further 64.17 hours since the last MPI was certified. The aircraft maintenance organisation (AMO) no. 914 that certified the last MPI held a valid approval certificate issued on 9 February 2007, expiring on 28 February 2008. ## Casualties and Probable Cause No people were injured or killed in the incident. The probable cause was determined to be the pilot losing directional control of the aircraft on landing, causing it to veer off the runway.