Accident Overview
On 29 July 2021 at approximately 0842Z, a Cessna C172I aircraft with registration ZS-EWX was engaged in a training flight at Grand Central Airport (FAGC), Gauteng Province. The aircraft was conducting a solo circuit training on Runway 17 with a student pilot on board. The flight was conducted during daylight under Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations.
Sequence of Events
The student pilot noted that the aircraft's approach was at a high speed. After the aircraft bounced during touch down, he opted to carry out a go-around. During final approach for touchdown, the aircraft was still at a high speed, but he opted to continue with landing. The left-side main landing gear touched down on the edge of the runway on the left-side. The aircraft touched down hard, resulting in a bounce. The pilot then attempted to give power to do another go-around; however, the aircraft's right wing lifted, causing the aircraft to veer off to the left-side of the runway. This was followed by the collapse of the nose landing gear, which resulted in the propeller striking the ground. The aircraft continued to skid further to the left of the runway with the nose section in contact with the ground until it came to a stop in a nose-down left-wing high attitude.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, wind was reported as 250° at 10 knots gusting 17 knots, later 230° at 10 knots gusting 17 knots. The METAR for FAGC at 0700Z was CAVOK 13/M02 Q1030.
Aircraft Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including damage to the nose landing gear (which broke off), the propeller, the fuselage (multiple structural fractures), both wings, both main landing gears, and the horizontal stabiliser. The student pilot, the only person on board, did not sustain any injuries.
Probable Cause
The aircraft approached at high speed, resulting in a hard landing on the left edge of the runway and the aircraft bounced before the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft as the crosswind lifted the right wing, causing it to veer off to the left of the runway.