What happened
On the morning of 9 July 2021, a student pilot was conducting solo circuit-and-landing exercises at Panorama Airfield in Gauteng Province. The flight, part of a training program under Part 141 regulations, had previously included dual instruction with a flight instructor. After completing several successful circuits on Runway 20, the student pilot decided to switch to Runway 02 after noticing a change in wind direction via the windsock.
During the landing roll on Runway 02, the pilot lost directional control, causing the Sling 2 aircraft, registration ZU-FZZ, to veer toward the left side of the runway. In an attempt to avoid hitting nearby shrubs and trees, the pilot applied power and attempted to lift the aircraft off the ground. However, the landing gear caught on the vegetation, causing the aircraft to stall. The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground in a left-wing low attitude and was destroyed by a post-impact fire. The student pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID examined the aircraft, the pilot's training records, and the airfield environment. Investigators noted that the aircraft's flap motor indicated the flaps were in the up position, suggesting they may have been retracted prior to landing. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting the student had accumulated approximately 25.9 total flying hours. The wreckage was heavily damaged by both the impact and the subsequent fuel-fed fire, which also destroyed the cockpit instruments.
Findings
- The pilot lost directional control during the landing phase on Runway 02.
- The aircraft's landing gear struck vegetation while the pilot was attempting an emergency lift-off to avoid obstacles.
- The impact with the shrubs led to a stall and the subsequent crash.
- Vegetation was permitted to grow close to the runway edge, creating a hazard for aircraft that deviate from the centerline.
- The student pilot's decision-making and lack of experience contributed to the sequence of events.