What happened
On 29 July 2021, a Cessna C172I with registration ZS-EWX was performing a solo circuit training flight at Grand Central Airport (FAGC) in Gauteng Province. The flight was being conducted under Part 141 regulations by a student pilot. During the approach to Runway 17, the pilot encountered significant crosswinds, with gusts reaching 17 knots.
After an initial high-speed approach resulted in a bounce upon touchdown, the pilot executed a go-around with air traffic control permission. On the subsequent attempt, despite similar wind conditions, the pilot decided to proceed with the landing. The aircraft touched down heavily on the left edge of the runway. As the pilot attempted to apply power for another go-around, the right wing lifted, causing the aircraft to veer left. This maneuver led to the collapse of the nose landing gear and the propeller striking the ground. The aircraft skidded off the runway, coming to a stop in a nose-down, left-wing-high position. The student pilot was uninjured and evacuated the aircraft without assistance.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the flight, noting that while the weather at takeoff was favorable, a sudden change in wind conditions caught the pilot by surprise. The investigation reviewed the pilot's training records, which showed the student was progressing satisfactorily and had recently begun solo operations. The investigation also noted that the maximum allowable crosswind component for the aircraft, as specified in the Pilot's Operating Handbook, is 15 knots, while the recorded gusts during the accident were 17 knots.
Findings
- The aircraft approached the runway at an excessive speed.
- A hard landing occurred on the edge of the runway, causing the aircraft to bounce.
- Crosswind gusts exceeding the aircraft's operational limits contributed to the loss of directional control when the right wing lifted.
- The collapse of the nose landing gear and subsequent propeller strike caused substantial damage to the airframe, including the fuselage, wings, and horizontal stabilizer.