What happened
On the morning of 12 April 2023, a pilot was conducting solo circuit-and-landing exercises at Ballito Airfield in KwaZulu-Natal. The flight was part of a training program intended to renew the pilot's National Pilot Licence (NPL). After completing several successful solo circuits, the pilot attempted a fourth landing on Runway 08.
During this approach, the aircraft became unstable. The pilot touched down to the left of the runway centerline at approximately 45 mph. As the Windlass Aquilla Trike, registration ZU-DJR, rolled over tall grass on the runway edge, the resulting drag caused a loss of directional control. The pilot attempted a go-around; however, the aircraft veered further left, causing the left wing to strike a sugar cane field. The impact caused the aircraft to spin 180 degrees before coming to a halt. While the aircraft sustained substantial damage, the pilot escaped without injury.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft, the airfield, and the pilot's training records. The investigation confirmed that the Windlass Aquilla Trike was airworthy and that the weather conditions were clear with no significant wind impact.
Investigators reviewed the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the Approved Training Organisation (ATO). They noted that the pilot's approach did not conform to the established guidelines, which require maintaining specific speeds and flight configurations to ensure stability. Additionally, the investigation looked into the pilot's licensing status, finding that while the pilot was in the process of renewing an expired NPL, the required flight hours for the renewal were being actively logged.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was that the microlight was unstable on approach, leading to an off-center touchdown.
- The loss of directional control was exacerbated by the left main wheel encountering 30cm-tall grass at the edge of the runway, creating asymmetric drag.
- The pilot's decision to execute a go-around while the aircraft was already veering left contributed to the wing striking the adjacent sugar cane.
- The pilot failed to adhere to the ATO's SOPs regarding approach stability and speed.
- The terrain at the edge of the runway was unsuitable for the aircraft's path during the unstable landing.