What happened
On 24 October 2008, a student pilot was conducting solo circuit and landing practice at Rand Aerodrome in Gauteng. The flight followed a successful training session with an instructor, during which the student had demonstrated proficiency in various maneuvers, including simulated engine failures and go-arounds.
During the solo operation, air traffic control instructed the pilot to perform a go-around due to runway traffic. Upon the subsequent approach to Runway 3 5, the pilot maintained a speed of 70 knots. As the aircraft reached the threshold, it ballooned. In an effort to correct the flight path and recover, the pilot executed a landing that placed excessive force on the nose landing gear. This impact caused the gear to collapse, leading the propeller to strike the runway surface.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID examined the aircraft, the pilot's credentials, and the environmental conditions. The inquiry confirmed that the student pilot held a valid license and medical certificate. The investigation also reviewed the maintenance history of the Cessna C172P, registration ZS-SDA, finding that the aircraft was properly maintained with a valid certificate of airworthiness.
Inspectors examined the wreckage and the flight control systems, finding no mechanical anomalies or failures in the control surfaces or cables. Meteorological data indicated that weather conditions were fine, with visibility exceeding 10 km, and therefore were not a factor in the incident.
Findings
- The aircraft ballooned during the landing phase.
- The pilot attempted to recover from the ballooning by landing heavily on the nose gear.
- The impact resulted in the collapse of the nose landing gear.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller blades, cowling, nose wheel, and the firewall, which broke away.
- There were no injuries to the pilot.