What happened
On 26 April 2022, a training flight involving a student pilot and an instructor was conducting a Private Pilot Licence skills test at Springs Aerodrome (FASI) in Gauteng. The flight, operating under Part 1-41 regulations, was performing a touch-and-go maneuver on Runway 21 under visual meteorological conditions.
Upon landing the Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee, registration ZS-BFC, the student pilot configured the aircraft for departure and applied full throttle. Realizing the aircraft was approaching the end of the runway, the instructor ordered an immediate abort. Although the student pilot applied the brakes, the aircraft failed to decelerate sufficiently. The instructor then took control and engaged the parking brake, but the aircraft continued toward the runway boundary. In a final attempt to avoid the concrete palisade fence, the instructor steered the aircraft to the left and shut off the fuel mixture just before the impact. The collision resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, though both occupants escaped without injury.
The investigation
An examination of the aircraft by investigators confirmed that both the foot brakes and the parking brake were fully operational. Maintenance records indicated that the aircraft's last 100-hour inspection had been completed recently, with only five hours of flight time remaining before the next mandatory service.
Video evidence reviewed during the investigation provided critical insight into the final moments of the flight. Audio from the footage revealed that maximum power was still being applied near the end of the runway threshold, which hindered the aircraft's ability to slow down effectively.
Findings
- The primary cause of the collision was a rejected take-off that occurred too late to prevent impact.
- A significant contributing factor was the application of full power close to the runway end, which prevented the aircraft from decelerating in time to avoid the perimeter fence.