What Happened
On 11 June 2022, at 1020Z, a pilot and a passenger on board a Raven RV9, registration ZU-IBX, departed on a private navigational flight from Richmond Airfield to Bingelela Private Airstrip, both in KwaZulu-Natal province. The flight was conducted under Part 94 of the Civil Aviation Regulations in daylight meteorological conditions. The pilot reported having 120 litres of fuel at departure and an uneventful take-off and cruise. During approach to Bingelela, the aircraft's speed was between 65 and 70 knots with full flaps. At touchdown, the aircraft bounced and floated. On the second touchdown, the pilot determined that remaining runway length was insufficient for a safe stop and elected to go around. The go-around was initiated near the end of the runway with the intention to clear a hill beyond. The pilot selected 20° take-off flaps, but due to a steep angle of attack, the aircraft could not achieve a positive rate of climb to clear the inclined terrain. The pilot then flew the aircraft as close to a stall as possible until it impacted the hill. The aircraft came to a stop 20 metres from the first point of impact. Both occupants sustained minor injuries. The aircraft's undercarriage, flaps, engine cowling, and propeller were damaged.
Investigation Findings
The investigation found that the aircraft's approach was not stable, as evidenced by the bounce and subsequent float, which led the pilot to attempt a landing deep into the runway. However, the aircraft was still floating, prompting the go-around. During the go-around, the pilot realized the aircraft would not clear the rising terrain and increased the nose to a steep angle, resulting in depleted airspeed and loss of height, culminating in a collision with the high-rise terrain. The aircraft's take-off weight of 1701 lbs was below the maximum of 1750 lbs, and its centre of gravity was within limits. The Pilot's Operating Handbook indicates that airspeed should be below 90 mph for flap extension, but flap degrees are not specified; flaps are electrically operated. The aircraft's last mandatory periodic inspection was on 26 August 2021 at 535.7 tachometer hours, and it had accumulated 40.3 hours since. The pilot held a valid private pilot licence and medical certificate with no restrictions.
Probable Cause
The aircraft was landed at a high speed, resulting in the aircraft floating and the pilot executing an unsuccessful go-around due to the rising terrain and, subsequently, crashed.