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Casualties unknown

2022-07-25: Sling 2 (ZU-FNN) — Grass area on the left-side of Runway 20 at Morningstar Aerodrome, Western Cape, ZA

Grass area on the left-side of Runway 20 at Morningstar Aerodrome, Western Cape, ZA

On July 25, 2022, a Sling 2 (registration ZU-FNN) was involved in an aviation accident near Grass area on the left-side of Runway 20 at Morningstar Aerodrome, Western Cape, ZA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft was unstable on approach which led to a hard landing and a couple of bounces. As a result, the pilot lost control and the aircraft veered off to the left-side of the runway. The nose gear failed before the aircraft came to a stop. This summary draws on records from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Accident and Incident Investigations Division.

Sourcesthe South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Accident and Incident Investigations DivisionPrimary reportUpdated 1785104676Data APIEditorial standards

On 25 July 2022, a Sling 2 (ZU-FNN) experienced a wind shear on approach, resulting in a hard landing, loss of control, and substantial damage. No injuries occurred.

Accident Overview

On 25 July 2022 at approximately 0810Z, a Sling 2 aircraft with registration ZU-FNN, occupied by a pilot and one passenger, was conducting a private flight from Morningstar Aerodrome in the Western Cape province. The intended landing was back at the same aerodrome. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed by day, with variable wind at 2 knots, visibility 9999 meters, temperature 14°C, CAVOK cloud conditions, and QNH 1023 hPa.

Sequence of Events

During the approach to Runway 20, the aircraft was correctly configured for landing at an approach speed of 74 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS). On short finals at 100 feet above ground level (AGL), the aircraft experienced wind shear after flying over trees located before the runway threshold. This caused the aircraft to veer off to the right-side of the extended centreline. The pilot initiated aileron and rudder inputs to re-align the aircraft with the centreline.

Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced twice, and the pilot lost control. The aircraft veered off to the right-side of Runway 20 and onto soft sand. The nose wheel sank into the soft sand, and the propeller struck the ground. Subsequently, the nose gear strut collapsed from overload, and the aircraft came to a stop in a nose-down attitude. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but no injuries were reported among the occupants.

Probable Cause

The probable cause of the accident was that the aircraft was unstable on approach, which led to a hard landing and a couple of bounces. As a result, the pilot lost control, and the aircraft veered off to the left-side of the runway. The nose gear failed before the aircraft came to a stop.

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