What happened
On the afternoon of 11 August 2022, a pilot operating a Jabiru J430, registration ZU-FNS, departed Wonderboom Aerodrome for Klerksdorp Aerodrome. During the flight, the pilot determined that daylight would expire before reaching the intended destination. Consequently, the pilot decided to divert to Orient Aerodrome in the North West Province.
Upon arrival at the unmanned aerodrome, the pilot observed another aircraft performing touch-and-go maneuvers on Runway 29 and assumed this was the active runway. Following the standard unmanned joining procedure at 1000 feet AGL, the pilot prepared for landing. During the final approach, the aircraft was flying at approximately 75 knots with full-wing flaps selected. As the pilot attempted to flare, the aircraft ballooned. Because the runway featured a downhill slope, the aircraft subsequently struck the surface in a nose-first position. The impact caused the nose landing gear assembly to detach and the propeller to strike the grass-covered runway.
There were no injuries to the pilot, who was able to exit the aircraft without assistance. However, the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the propeller and the nose gear assembly.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the flight circumstances, the pilot's credentials, and the aircraft's maintenance status. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid Private Pilot Licence and a current Class 2 medical certificate. The aircraft, ZU-FNS, had a valid Authority to Fly and had undergone its mandatory periodic inspection approximately one month prior to the accident.
Investigators also reviewed the aerodrome environment and the pilot's familiarity with the site. It was established that the pilot was not familiar with the specific layout of Orient Aerodrome. The investigation focused on the aerodynamic sequence of the landing, specifically the relationship between approach speed, the flare maneuver, and the runway gradient.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was that the aircraft approached the runway at a high airspeed, which induced ballooning during the flare.
- The downhill slope of the runway contributed to the severity of the nose-first impact.
- The pilot's lack of familiarity with the terrain at Orient Aerodrome played a role in the landing execution.