What happened
On 28 May 2011, a Piper PA 28-235, registration ZS-ELO, was conducting a private flight between two locations in the Northern Cape Province. The flight departed from a private airstrip at Loch Broom, near Askham, with the intention of landing at Longepan farm in the Kalahari.
Prior to the flight, the pilot had coordinated with the landowner at the destination to identify a suitable landing area on a nearby saltpan. Upon arrival, the pilot performed a fly-past inspection of the marked track to verify the surface condition before executing a left-hand circuit and final approach. The aircraft touched down smoothly approximately 300 feet from the edge of the pan. However, as the aircraft decelerated during the landing roll, the nose wheel began to sink into the soil, carving a deep furrow. The weight of the aircraft eventually caused the nose gear to collapse, leading to a propeller strike. The aircraft skidded approximately 30 feet before coming to a halt. Both the pilot and the passenger escaped the incident without injury.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the landing at the Longepan saltpan. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid private pilot license and medical certificate, and was experienced on the aircraft type. The investigation also noted that the pilot had previously landed on this specific saltpan without incident.
Investigators looked into the surface conditions of the landing site. While the saltpan was dry at the time of the incident, the investigation focused on the structural integrity of the top layer of soil. The inquiry also reviewed the damage to the Piper PA 28-235, which included damage to the propeller, the lower cowling, and the nose gear assembly.
Findings
- The landing area had been visually inspected and cleared by both the pilot and the farm owner prior to the landing.
- The aircraft initially touched down normally on the surface.
- The nose wheel sank into soft soil during the landing roll, which caused the gear to collapse under the aircraft's load.
- The collapse resulted in a propeller strike and substantial damage to the aircraft's nose section.