Incident Details
On 24 October 2008 at 1215Z, a Cessna C172 aircraft with registration ZS-SDA, operated by South African Flight Training Academy CC, was involved in an incident during landing on Runway 35 at Rand Aerodrome, Gauteng Province. The aircraft was being flown by a student pilot on a solo training flight, practising circuit and landing exercises. During the landing, the aircraft ballooned, and in an attempt to recover, the pilot landed the aircraft hard on the nose landing gear. As a result, the nose landing gear collapsed and the propeller struck the ground.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft sustained damage to the nose wheel, propeller blades, cowling, and the fire wall, which broke off. The aircraft came to a halt approximately 20 meters from the intersection of runways 35 and 29.
Injuries and Fatalities
There were no injuries or fatalities. The student pilot was the sole occupant and was uninjured.
Probable Cause
The aircraft ballooned during landing and in an attempt to recover, the pilot landed the aircraft on its nose landing gear. As a result, the nose landing gear collapsed.
Weather Conditions
The weather was reported as fine at the time of the incident.