Incident Overview
On 17 September 2021 at approximately 1615Z, a Piper PA-28-140, registration ZS-ELH, departed Grand Central Aerodrome (FAGC) for a solo hour-building flight under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) by day and night. The pilot, holder of a Private Pilot Licence (PPL), was the sole occupant. The flight routed to the Grasmere Golf Alfa Victor beacon (GAV) and returned to FAGC.
Sequence of Events
Upon return, the FAGC tower had closed and there was no Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) available. The pilot tuned to O.R. Tambo International Airport (FAOR) ATIS on 126.2 MHz, which indicated wind from 090° at 15 knots. The actual weather at the accident site, reported by FAGC weather, showed wind from 98° at 14 knots gusting to 24.5 knots.
The pilot joined the circuit for Runway 35 as number two behind another aircraft. On final approach, the controls felt stiff and the nose pointed slightly left; the aircraft seemed to sink rapidly. During landing, the aircraft touched down hard and bounced after the right wing contacted the ground. On the second touchdown, the propeller struck the ground, and the aircraft veered left, exiting the runway and coming to rest 5 metres from the left edge.
Findings
The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including to the right wing tip and propeller. The pilot was uninjured. The ATO's Student Training Manual prohibited student pilots from operating if crosswind exceeded 15 knots, but the pilot held a valid PPL, so this limitation did not apply. The actual gusting wind at FAGC exceeded both the manufacturer's and the ATO's maximum recommended crosswind of 15 knots.
Probable Cause
The pilot lost control of the aircraft during landing due to excessive gusting wind that resulted in the aircraft landing hard, bouncing, and veering off to the left-side of the runway; lost directional control on landing and poor technique.