Accident Overview
On 15 February 2022, a student pilot flying solo in a Cessna 172M aircraft (registration ZS-SNS) was conducting a consolidation flight at Wonderboom Airport (FAWB) in Gauteng Province, South Africa. The flight was operated under Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2011 as amended, in visual meteorological conditions (VMC) by day.
Flight Sequence
The student pilot had previously flown earlier that day with a Grade 2 instructor. She took off at 0840Z for a solo flight and completed two successful circuits. During the third circuit landing, the aircraft ballooned and began to descend. The aircraft landed hard on its nose gear first before bouncing. The pilot initiated a go-around by applying full power and took off for a fourth circuit, which she landed safely. After vacating the runway onto Taxiway Charlie, an inspection revealed damage to the nose landing gear, firewall, and both propeller blade tips. The pilot was not injured.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft, a Cessna 172M (serial number 17261620), had accumulated 8740.0 total airframe hours. Its mandatory periodic inspection (MPI) was conducted on 6 January 2022 at 8647.8 hours, with a Certificate of Release to Service (CRS) valid until 28 January 2023 or 8747.8 hours. The aircraft's Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A) was issued on 22 December 2009, expiring 31 December 2022.
The pilot held a Student Pilot Licence (SPL) Aeroplane valid from 27 April 2021 to 26 April 2022, with a Class 2 medical certificate issued 8 April 2021 (expiring 30 April 2026) with a corrective lenses restriction. She was released for solo flight at 23 total hours and had accumulated 1.7 solo hours. Her total flying hours were 29.8, all on type.
Meteorological Conditions
The METAR at the time of the accident (0900Z) reported: wind 090° at 7 knots, ceiling and visibility OK, temperature 26°C, dew point 14°C, QNH 1024 hPa.
Damage Assessment
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the nose landing gear, firewall, and both propeller blade tips. No other damage was reported.
Safety Action
Following the accident, the approved training organisation (ATO) instructed the student pilot to complete a remedial flight with a Grade 2 instructor before continuing solo flights.
Probable Cause
According to the investigation, the probable cause was: "The aircraft was unstable on approach for landing and it ballooned on touch down before landing on the nose gear first, damaging the nose gear, fire wall and propeller."