What happened
On the morning of 4 April 2022, a solo private flight departing from Riverside Aerodrome in Mpumalanga ended in a runway excursion at Hoedspruit Civil Aerodrome (FAHT). The pilot was operating a Cessna T210N, registration ZS-MSB, under Part 91 regulations. After receiving clearance to land on Runway 35, the pilot configured the aircraft with full flaps for arrival.
Shortly after touchdown, the aircraft drifted toward the right side of the runway. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation using left rudder, but the maneuver was unsuccessful. The aircraft continued off the paved surface and collided with Hangar Number 28, located approximately 40 meters from the runway centerline. While the aircraft suffered substantial damage, the pilot escaped the wreckage without injury.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the excursion, including the aircraft's mechanical state and the pilot's recent flying history. The investigation noted that while the pilot had completed differences training for the type, the specific aircraft type was not formally endorsed on his license, though it was noted in his logbook.
Maintenance records showed the aircraft had undergone a recent inspection in March 2022, and no mechanical defects were identified in the braking system or wheels during post-accident inspections by engineers on-site. Meteorological data indicated favorable flying conditions with light winds and good visibility. Analysis of tyre markings on the runway surface revealed that the aircraft's right wheel made contact with the pavement first.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was that the pilot landed with the right brake applied.
- As the pilot attempted to use left rudder to counteract the initial yaw, he likely applied further pressure to the right brake, exacerbating the rightward drift.
- The aircraft's braking and steering components were found to be fully functional following the impact.
- The pilot had flown only 6.3 hours in the 90 days preceding the accident.