What happened
On the morning of 7 May 2022, a training flight operating under Part 141 regulations departed from Cape Winelands Aerodrome (FAWN) bound for Diemerskraal Airfield. The flight, involving a flight instructor and a student pilot, was conducted in a Bushbaby 450, registration ZU-BJI.
Following a successful touch-and-go landing, the crew prepared for a full-stop landing on Runway 22. During the touchdown phase, the aircraft began to veer toward the left. In an attempt to correct the deviation, the student pilot applied right rudder, which caused the aircraft to swing toward the right side of the runway. While attempting to regain control and stop the runway excursion, the student pilot applied full left rudder and inadvertently engaged the left brake. This caused the left wheel to lock, leading to a forward pitch of the aircraft. The Bushbaby 450 ultimately nosed over and came to rest in an inverted position. Despite the substantial damage to the wings, propeller, fuselage, and empennage, there were no injuries to the two occupants.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators reviewed the aircraft's maintenance history and the pilot's credentials. The aircraft had undergone its annual inspection approximately 29 hours prior to the accident, and no mechanical defects regarding the braking system were reported. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were reported as fine with light winds, and investigators determined that the weather played no role in the event.
Physical evidence from the runway, including tyre marks, was examined. While the student pilot believed only the left brake was engaged, the investigation established that both rudder pedals and brakes were applied excessively during the attempt to maintain the centerline.