Incident Overview
On 9 June 2021, at 0830Z, a Cessna 172N aircraft, registered ZS-OFU, was involved in an accident at Rand Airport (FAGM) in Gauteng province, South Africa. The aircraft was being operated under Part 141 training rules when the incident occurred. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but the sole occupant, the pilot, was not injured.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a Cessna 172N model with a total airframe time of 9,017 hours. The pilot was a 21-year-old female holding a Student Pilot Licence (Aeroplane), valid at the time of the accident. She had accumulated 22.2 total flying hours, all of which were on the accident aircraft type.
Sequence of Events
The pilot had taken off from Rand Airport for the purpose of conducting circuit training. During her first solo circuit, while on final approach for Runway 35, she reported that the aircraft began to lose height rapidly as she was monitoring airspeed and altitude. In response, the pilot pulled back on the control column. Moments later, the stall warning sounded. The aircraft then ballooned, and the pilot attempted to land. However, the aircraft bounced and touched down nose wheel first.
Cause
The cause of the accident was determined to be the pilot losing control of the aircraft due to an unstable approach during landing, which resulted in a stall. The aircraft then landed hard with the nose wheel first.