Incident Overview
On 31 August 2022 at 1007Z, a Sling 2 aircraft with registration ZU-FTF, operated under Part 141 training, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on Runway 19 at Cape Town International Airport. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.
Flight Sequence
The student pilot departed Morning Star Aerodrome at 0800Z on her first solo navigation training flight, with the intended route via Saldanha Aerodrome and back to Morning Star. While en route to Morning Star, she became uncertain of her position, climbed from 3500 to 4000 feet above ground level, and contacted Cape Town Flight Information Service West (FACT FIS) for assistance. FACT FIS, after attempting to guide her visually, directed her to Cape Town International Airport for a full stop landing on Runway 19.
Landing and Damage
The aircraft landed hard and bounced. During the second touchdown, the nose wheel struck the ground hard first, causing the nose gear strut to bend backward. The propeller blades then broke off after contacting the runway surface. The aircraft skidded along the runway before coming to a stop. Post-accident examination confirmed the damage was limited to the nose gear and propeller.
Weather Conditions
At the time, weather reported from the nearest station included wind from 100° at 12 knots, visibility 9999 meters, temperature 25°C, nil cloud cover with CAVOK conditions, dew point -2°C, and QNH 1017 hPa.
Probable Cause
The aircraft was flared too high during approach for landing and, on touch down, it landed hard and bounced. During the second landing, the nose wheel contacted the ground hard and the nose gear strut bent backward; whilst the propeller blades broke off after striking the runway surface.