What happened
On 16 June 2021, a Composite Technology Short Wing (CTSW) aircraft, registered ZU-KBO, was conducting a private flight from Eagles Creek Airfield in Gauteng to Parys Airfield in the Free State. The flight carried a pilot and one passenger.
As the aircraft approached Runway 06 for landing, it encountered a wind shear event just prior to touchdown. This meteorological disturbance caused the aircraft to drift toward the left side of the runway. Upon making contact with the surface, the aircraft veered further left, eventually exiting the runway and coming to a stop. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the propeller blades and the nose landing gear, though there were no injuries to the occupants.
The investigation
The investigation, based on information provided by the pilot and the South African Weather Service, examined the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Meteorological data for the period indicated a wind direction of 310 degrees with a speed of 23 knots. The investigation focused on the impact of wind velocity variations on the aircraft's stability during the landing phase.
Findings
- The primary factor in the loss of control was an unstable approach during the landing sequence.
- The aircraft was subjected to a wind shear event, likely originating from the left, which disrupted the flight path.
- The resulting lateral drift caused the aircraft to deviate from the runway centerline, leading to the excursion and subsequent structural damage to the nose gear and propeller.