Accident Overview
On Saturday, 12 February 2022, at approximately 0710Z, a Vans RV-7 aircraft, registration ZU-WAB, was on a private flight from Morningstar Aerodrome in the Western Cape province to Gannabos and Doringrivier private farm near Nieuwoudtville Aerodrome (FANV) in the Northern Cape province. The flight was conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC) by day and under Part 94 of the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2011.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft, a Vans RV-7 (serial number 71334), had accumulated 211.4 total hours. It had been issued an Authority to Fly on 2 March 2020, expiring 31 March 2022. An annual inspection was performed on 14 January 2022 at 203.7 airframe hours, with a Certificate of Release to Service valid until 13 January 2023 or 303.7 hours. The pilot, a 47-year-old male, held a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) issued on 23 November 2021, valid until 30 November 2022, with an endorsement for the aircraft type. His Class 2 medical certificate was issued on 5 August 2021, expiring 31 August 2023, with no restrictions. He had 519.3 total flying hours, of which 148.1 were on type.
Accident Sequence
According to the pilot, during landing in a westerly direction at a speed of approximately 55 knots, the right wing struck a small thorn bush on the right side of the gravel road, which was used as a private landing strip. The left main landing gear strut subsequently collapsed, and the left wing impacted the ground. The aircraft veered to the right of the gravel road and came to rest facing east.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The pilot was not injured. There were no other occupants or ground injuries reported.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The probable cause of the accident was that the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft and veered off to the right of the gravel road after the right wing collided with a thorn bush during landing. A contributing factor was that no inspection of the gravel road was conducted prior to landing. Additionally, landing on a road was in contravention of CAR 2011, Part 91.06.1, which prohibits the use of a public road as a landing area except in emergencies or for specific authorized operations.