What happened
On 13 February 2023, a private flight involving a Windlass Aquilla Trike, registration ZU-COD, was returning to Paradise Beach Aerodrome in the Eastern Cape following a series of touch-and-go exercises near Jeffreys Bay. The flight was being conducted under visual meteorological conditions by a pilot and one passenger.
Upon returning to the unmanned aerodrome, the pilot assessed the wind conditions, noting that the windsock was hanging limp, indicating calm air. The pilot elected to land on Runway 226. During the final approach, the pilot attempted to correct a slight leftward deviation from the runway centerline. This maneuver caused the aircraft's airspeed to drop to 37 knots, which was below the 45-knot landing speed recommended in the Pilot's Operating Handbook. As the pilot initiated the flare, the aircraft stalled and struck the ground with significant force. The momentum caused the microlight to veer off the runway into nearby vegetation, where it ultimately struck a tree.
While the passenger escaped without injury, the pilot sustained an injury to the right ear. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft, specifically affecting the engine propeller blades, the undercarriage, the instrument pod, the aft wing beam, and the left-wing fabric.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the flight parameters and aircraft maintenance records. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid National Pilot Licence and a current medical certificate. The aircraft's maintenance history showed that the last annual inspection had been completed in June 2022, and the aircraft was within its valid authority to fly.
Weather data from the nearby Port Elizabeth Aerodrome indicated calm conditions with no significant crosswinds, which aligned with the pilot's observation of the windsock at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft was approaching the runway at 37 knots, which was 8 knots below the manufacturer's recommended landing speed.
- The attempt to correct the aircraft's alignment during the final approach led to a decay in airspeed.
- The loss of speed during the flare resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a subsequent hard landing.