Summary
On 13 January 2023, at approximately 2020Z, a Cessna 172 aircraft (registration ZS-TIU) sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on Runway 35 at Grand Central Airport (FAGC) in Gauteng Province, South Africa. The female pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.
Flight Details
The aircraft was operated under Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations for a solo navigation night exercise. The pilot departed FAGC at 1835Z with 38 gallons of fuel, planning to route to the Golf Alpha Victor general flying area, Potchefstroom Airport, Klerksdorp Airport, and return to FAGC. The aircraft had 5416.4 total hours at the time of the accident.
Accident Sequence
The pilot reported that upon arrival at FAGC, she performed an unmanned joining procedure as the tower was unmanned; the runway lights were on. On the first approach, she turned early onto base leg, resulting in a high final approach, and she executed a go-around. On the second approach, while on final and preparing to flare, the runway lights switched off (possibly due to load shedding), prompting another go-around. While on downwind, a low fuel caution light illuminated. The pilot decided this would be the last circuit. On final approach, she attempted to activate the lights by pressing the press-to-talk button three times, but the lights did not respond. After crossing the runway orientation numbers at 65 knots with flaps down, she reduced power to flare. The aircraft floated and then bounced hard, ballooning. She added power to correct, but the aircraft bounced several more times before stopping.
Findings
The investigation revealed that the pilot held a valid Private Pilot Licence and medical certificate. The aircraft had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and had undergone a mandatory periodic inspection on 9 September 2022; it had flown 63.9 hours since. Weather at the time was calm with no clouds and visibility greater than 10 kilometres. Fuel calculations indicated approximately 11.8 gallons remained at landing. The pilot reported an indicated airspeed of 65 knots on final. A discrepancy was noted regarding the generator activation time after load shedding: the pilot stated 5 minutes, while FAGC fire management stated seconds. The next morning, the right fuel tank contained one quarter and the left tank three quarters of maximum capacity; the pilot had selected both tanks.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined that it is likely the pilot did not execute the landing technique properly, resulting in the aircraft floating instead of touching down after flaring. Contributing factors included distraction due to the low fuel warning light and the runway lights switching off during landing.