What happened
On 24 August 2022, a Jabiru J230 aircraft, registration ZU-TDH, was conducting a private flight from George Aerodrome to Douglas Airfield. Due to the aircraft's fuel capacity, the pilot planned a refueling stop at Beaufort West Aerodrome.
During the approach to Runway 08 at Beaufort West, the pilot encountered significant wind conditions. While the aircraft touched down as intended, a sudden gust of wind lifted the left wing during the landing roll. This movement caused the right-wing tip and the propeller blades to strike the runway surface. The aircraft subsequently veered toward the left side of the runway, though the pilot managed to regain control and bring the aircraft to a halt shortly before the runway edge. The incident resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, specifically to the propeller tips and the right wingtip, but no injuries were reported.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the flight conditions and aircraft status leading up to the event. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid National Pilot Licence and a current medical certificate. The aircraft, which had only 5.0 total flight hours, was recently certified and maintained.
At the time of the landing, weather reports from the South African Weather Service indicated a wind direction of 340 degrees with speeds of 28 knots, gusting up to 42 knots. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's fuel state, noting that approximately 72 litres of fuel remained upon arrival at Beaufort West. The pilot's operating handbook for the Jabiru J230 specifies a maximum approved crosswind landing limit of 14 knots, which was significantly exceeded by the conditions present during the occurrence.