What happened
On 25 August 2010, a Piper PA 28-180, registration ZS-PEX, was performing a solo training flight at 43 Air School in Port Alfred. During the takeoff roll from Runway 10, the aircraft traveled approximately 130 metres before the pilot encountered sudden visibility issues. High humidity caused the windshield to mist up, and simultaneous glare from the sun shining directly into the pilot's eyes obscured the view of the runway.
In response to the loss of visual reference, the pilot aborted the takeoff. However, the aircraft exited the left side of the grass runway and entered an area of rough, soft ground that remained wet from recent rainfall. As the nose landing gear wheel sank into the soft earth, the nose gear fork fractured. The incident resulted in no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained damage to the propeller blades and the left wingtip.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the loss of directional control. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid private pilot's licence and was properly rated for the aircraft type. Meteorological data at the time showed calm winds and clear visibility (CAVOK), with a temperature of 14°C.
Technical inspections revealed that the aircraft's maintenance was up to date, with the last maintenance periodic inspection (MPI) completed 41 hours prior to the incident. The investigation also noted that the aircraft was not equipped with a window heat control system, which may have impacted the pilot's ability to clear the condensation from the windshield.