What happened
On 13 February 2022, a Ravin 500 aircraft, registration ZU-DWF, was performing a private flight from Thabazimbi Aerodrome to Kitty Hawk Aerodrome (FAKT) in Gauteng Province. The flight, which carried the pilot and three passengers, was conducted under visual meteorological conditions.
After departing Thabazimbi, the aircraft climbed to 6,500 feet. Upon approaching Kitty Hawk, the pilot contacted the tower on the FAKT frequency and joined the traffic pattern for Runway 1s. During the final approach, the pilot deployed the flaps to 30 degrees. However, during the landing phase, the aircraft appeared to be too high, prompting the pilot to initiate a flare. This maneuver caused the aircraft to lose its forward momentum and lift, leading to a high rate of descent and a hard landing. While the aircraft suffered substantial damage to its underwing structures and landing gear struts, there were 0 fatalities and no injuries to the four occupants.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the aircraft and its maintenance history following the incident. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was maintained according to all regulatory requirements, with no open or deferred maintenance items noted in the flight folio. The aircraft's mass at landing was 1,353 kg, which was well within its maximum take-off weight of 1,622 kg.
Technical inspections of the Ravin 500 revealed no mechanical malfunctions or defects that could have contributed to the accident. Furthermore, weather data from the nearby Irene station indicated that while very weak vertical windshear had been forecasted, there were no significant hazards present at the time of the landing. The pilot held a valid Private Pilot Licence with the appropriate type rating and a current medical certificate.