Accident Summary
On 26 April 2022 at 1410Z, a Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee aircraft, registration ZS-BFC, departed on a training flight from Springs Aerodrome (FASI) in Gauteng province. The flight was conducted under Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 2011, with the purpose of a Private Pilot Licence skills test for the student pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Upon return to the aerodrome, the aircraft joined the traffic pattern for Runway 21 to perform a touch-and-go landing. The student pilot, who was flying, configured 25 degrees of flaps and touched down at approximately 90 mph. After touchdown, she set the aircraft for take-off and opened the throttle. The instructor determined that a take-off was not possible as the aircraft was nearing the end of the runway, and instructed the student to abort. The student closed the throttle and applied foot brakes, but the aircraft did not slow. The instructor then took control, pulled the park brake lever, but still could not stop the aircraft. She attempted to steer left to avoid the concrete palisade fence at the runway's end, but the aircraft's speed prevented a sufficient turn. Just before impact, she shut off the fuel mixture. The aircraft struck the fence, resulting in substantial damage. Both occupants were not injured.
Examination Findings
Post-accident examination at an aircraft maintenance organisation confirmed that both the foot brakes and park brake were operational. The last 100-hour mandatory periodic inspection was carried out on 11 March 2022 at 3596.10 Hobbs hours, with a Certificate of Release to Service expiring at 3646.10 Hobbs hours or 10 March 2023. At the time of the accident, the aircraft had 5 Hobbs hours remaining before the next inspection.
Video footage and audio revealed that maximum power was still applied near the end of the runway threshold, which the instructor reported as the reason the aircraft did not slow sufficiently.
Pilot Information
The instructor held a valid Commercial Pilot Licence with 1,431 total flying hours, including 420 hours on type. She was a Grade 2 instructor. The student pilot had 94.4 total hours on type and 20.8 hours as pilot-in-command.
Aerodrome Information
Springs Aerodrome (FASI) is a licensed aerodrome located in Springs, Gauteng province. Runway 21 is an asphalt runway measuring 1,600 metres by 18 metres. The aerodrome's concrete palisade fencing is at the end of Runway 21.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factor
According to the report, the probable cause of the accident was the aircraft colliding with the aerodrome’s palisade concrete fence following a rejected take-off. A contributing factor was a late decision to reject the take-off, made when the aircraft was already near the end of the runway at maximum power, preventing the duo from bringing the aircraft to a halt.