FlightFinder
Casualties unknown

2023-01-23: Cessna 172 E (ZS-DVY) — Runway 01 at Cape Town International Airport, Western Cape, ZA

Runway 01 at Cape Town International Airport, Western Cape, ZA

On January 23, 2023, a Cessna 172 E (registration ZS-DVY) was involved in an aviation accident near Runway 01 at Cape Town International Airport, Western Cape, ZA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft speed was high on approach and, during round out, the aircraft ballooned which led to loss of control. 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 23 January 2023, a Cessna 172E (ZS-DVY) on a training flight at Cape Town International Airport experienced a balloon on landing, resulting in loss of control and substantial damage. The student pilot was not injured.

What Happened

On Monday, 23 January 2023 at 0951Z, a Cessna 172E aircraft with registration ZS-DVY was involved in an accident at Cape Town International Airport (FACT) in the Western Cape province. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was conducted under Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations.

The student pilot took off on a training flight from FACT to the general flying area and intended to return to FACT. During the return flight, while on final approach for a full stop landing, the indicated airspeed was 90–95 knots. The Pilot's Operating Handbook prescribes 55–65 knots for landing. The student pilot corrected the airspeed to 56 knots and set flaps to 30 degrees before touchdown on Runway 01. After rounding out (flare), the aircraft ballooned. To correct this, the student pilot applied back pressure to the control column and added power. However, the right wing dropped and impacted the ground, causing loss of control. Subsequently, the nose wheel impacted the ground hard and broke off. The propeller blades struck the runway, and the aircraft veered right before coming to a stop on grass about 30 metres from the runway edge.

Findings

  • The student pilot held a valid Student Pilot Licence issued on 14 November 2022, expiring 13 November 2023.
  • The student pilot held a valid Class 2 aviation medical certificate issued on 30 September 2022, expiring 30 September 2027.
  • The aircraft had a Certificate of Airworthiness issued on 1 September 2009, with the latest expiry date of 30 November 2023.
  • The Certificate of Registration was issued on 25 February 2021.
  • The last maintenance inspection before the accident was certified on 8 December 2022 at 4348.23 airframe hours; the aircraft had accumulated 98.36 hours since then.
  • A Certificate of Release to Service was issued on 8 December 2022, valid until 8 June 2023 or 4448.23 total hours.
  • The approved training organisation held a valid certificate.
  • The flight was authorised in the flight authorisation sheet.
  • Weather at 0930Z: wind 320° at 15 knots, temperature 26°C, dew point 16°C, QNH 1008 hPa, visibility 10 000 metres.
  • The aircraft sustained damage to the right-wing tip, propeller blades, nose wheel, and nose gear strut. The pilot was not injured.
  • The training organisation conducted 3.8 hours of remedial action with the student pilot on circuits, circuits in controlled airspace, and emergencies.

Probable Cause

The aircraft speed was high on approach and, during round out, the aircraft ballooned which led to loss of control.

Safety Action

The approved training organisation carried out remedial action with the student pilot for 3.8 hours to correct his technique on circuits, circuits in controlled airspace, and emergencies in the circuit.

Loss of control in flight

More accident analyses