Introduction
On Monday morning, 4 April 2022 at 0700Z, a private pilot flying solo aboard a Cessna T210N aircraft (registration ZS-MSB) departed from Riverside Aerodrome in Mpumalanga Province. The intended destination was Hoedspruit Civil Aerodrome (FAHT) in Limpopo Province. The flight was conducted under Part 91 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 2011, with no flight plan filed. The flight duration was approximately 40 minutes.
Flight Details
The pilot was in communication with Air Force Base Hoedspruit Approach (FAHS) air traffic control (ATC) on VHF 126.40 MHz and was cleared to land at FAHT as number two on Runway 35, the active runway. ATC indicated the wind at 360° at 10 knots. The pilot was familiar with FAHT, having regularly operated there. He selected full wing flaps for landing.
Accident Sequence
Shortly after touchdown, the aircraft veered to the right of the runway. The pilot applied left rudder, but it had no effect. Unable to stop, the aircraft collided with Hangar Number 28, located on the right side of Runway 35 approximately 40 meters from the runway centerline. The pilot was not injured; he secured the aircraft post-crash and disembarked unassisted. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Post-Accident Inspection
Aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs) from a nearby hangar responded first. The pilot suggested the right brake might have locked. The ELT had activated upon impact and was disconnected. Both main wheels were inspected and found to turn freely with no binding; brakes were tested and no anomalies were noted when the aircraft was pushed to the hangar. Tyre markings on the runway indicated the right wheel contacted the surface first, and brake marks extended approximately 260 meters from initial touchdown to the hangar. No mechanical defect was found that could have caused the accident.
Probable Cause
The pilot landed with the right brake applied (depressed toe brake) on the rudder pedals; as he applied the left rudder to counteract the right yaw, he most probably applied additional pressure on the right brake, which caused the aircraft to yaw to the right. The pilot was unable to bring the aircraft to a stop and it collided with a hangar.