What happened
On the morning of 3 June 2023, a Cessna 185A Skywagon, registration ZU-BMD, departed Potchefstroom Aerodrome for a private flight to Parys Aerodrome in the Free State province. The flight, which included the pilot and four passengers, was conducted under visual meteorological conditions. After a routine departure and a ten-minute flight, the aircraft approached Runway 06 at Parys Aerodrome.
During the landing roll, while the tail remained airborne, the aircraft drifted left of the runway centerline and onto the grass. The momentum caused the aircraft to nose over, coming to rest on its spinner and right-wing tip in a near-vertical position. Despite the substantial damage to the aircraft, there were 0 fatalities and no injuries were reported among the five occupants.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the landing. Post-accident inspections of the Cessna 185A Skywagon by an approved person found no mechanical abnormalities; the rudder pedals, brakes, and trim systems were all functioning correctly. The aircraft was confirmed to be airworthy, with a valid Authority to Fly and a recent 100-hour inspection.
An eyewitness, observing from another aircraft, noted that at the time of the landing, there were gusts of wind exceeding 15 knots coming from the left side of the runway. This wind speed reached the maximum demonstrated crosswind limit for this aircraft type.
Findings
- The pilot failed to sufficiently compensate for gusting winds originating from the left.
- This lack of correction caused the aircraft to veer off the runway centerline.
- The subsequent application of excessive braking during the excursion resulted in the aircraft nosing over.