Accident Details
On 17 September 2022, at approximately 0800Z, a pilot operating a Safari LSA aircraft with registration ZU-IIX performed a private flight from Hoek Van Spruit Se Vloer Pan Airstrip in the Northern Cape province. The flight, intended to return to the same airstrip, lasted about 30 minutes. The pilot reported an uneventful takeoff and normal flight under visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed.
During landing, the pilot configured full flaps and approached at 55 knots. The aircraft touched down hard on all three landing gears and bounced. The pilot lost directional control, and the aircraft ground-looped to the left side of the gravel airstrip. Attempting recovery, the pilot pushed the control column to the right, but the right-side landing gear struck the ground hard, followed by the right wing tip. The propeller also impacted the ground before the aircraft came to a stop.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft, a Safari LSA (serial number 020-02-14 SAF), held an Authority to Fly (ATF) valid until 31 October 2022. The last annual inspection was certified on 30 August 2022 at 615.8 airframe hours, with a Certificate of Release to Service (CRS) valid until 30 August 2023 or 715.8 hours. The aircraft had flown 9.2 hours since that inspection. Damage from the accident included substantial damage to the propeller, both main landing gears, right wing tip, and right wing front spar.
Pilot Information
The female pilot, aged 43, held a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) issued on 30 August 2016, re-issued on 20 October 2021 with an expiry date of 31 October 2022. She held a Class 2 medical certificate valid until 30 June 2024. Her total flight time was 144.2 hours, with 55.5 hours on type. Her last experience flying a taildragger was six months before the accident. According to the Civil Aviation Regulations 2011 Part 91.02.4(1), a pilot must have completed three takeoffs and three landings in the same class or type within the preceding 90 days to act as pilot-in-command. The pilot had not flown a taildragger in over 90 days and thus contravened this regulation. The pilot noted that in hindsight, flying with an instructor would have been advisable.
Findings
Investigation findings included that the pilot had not flown a taildragger in six months, contrary to recency requirements. The aircraft was landed with full flaps at 55 knots, which was within the manufacturer's specifications. However, the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) states that for a three-point landing, the pilot should hold the stick back and may reduce flaps after touchdown to increase tail weight and arrest bouncing. The pilot did not reduce flaps, and the aircraft bounced, leading to loss of control. Wind was variable with light speed, temperature 25°C, with no clouds.
Probable Cause
The aircraft landed hard and ground looped after touchdown; thereafter, the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft.