What happened
On 21 September 2021, a training flight conducted by a student pilot ended in an accident on Runway 07 at Lanseria International Airport (FALA). The flight, involving a Cessna 172N with registration ZS-OHK, had departed from the same airport for a routine training session in the general flying area.
During the return to the airfield, an eyewitness observed the aircraft approaching the runway with only one notch of flaps extended. This configuration led to the aircraft ballooning and subsequently losing altitude rapidly. The aircraft struck the runway with the nose gear first, causing the nose gear to break off. As the aircraft skidded along the runway surface, the propeller struck the pavement and the engine cowling made contact with the ground before the aircraft came to a rest on the left edge of the runway. There were 0 fatalities and the pilot escaped without injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the flight. The engine was found to be in normal working order, and the flight control surfaces were fully functional, showing no evidence of control difficulties during the landing phase. Analysis of the propeller blades revealed that the engine was producing significant power at the moment of impact.
Environmental conditions were found to be favorable, with a light wind of 5 knots from 150°, ruling out weather as a contributing factor. Maintenance records indicated that the aircraft's most recent mandatory periodic inspection had been completed just six days prior to the accident. The pilot held a valid Student Pilot Licence and a Class 2 medical certificate.