What happened
On 5 September 2023, a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, registered ZS-EKI, was conducting a private flight from Springs Aerodrome in Gauteng to Kimberley Aerodrome in the Northern Cape. The flight was being operated under Part 91 regulations in clear visual meteorological conditions.
Upon arriving at Kimberley, the pilot began an approach to Runway 2 and had extended the flaps to 25 degrees. The aircraft was traveling at a speed between 80 and 85 mph, which was slightly above the recommended approach speed of 80 mph specified in the Pilot's Operating Handbook. Following touchdown, the pilot was unable to maintain the aircraft's path, causing it to veer left off the asphalt runway and onto the adjacent grass. The impact caused the nose gear strut to collapse and the propeller to strike the ground. While the aircraft sustained substantial damage, there were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the pilot's credentials and the aircraft's maintenance history. The pilot held a valid Private Pilot Licence and a current Class 1 medical certificate. The aircraft's airworthiness documentation was up to date, and the most recent mandatory periodic inspection had been completed in May 2023. At the time of the incident, the aircraft had approximately 5,729 total airframe hours, and no defects were noted in the flight records prior to the flight.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an unstable approach.
- This instability led to a loss of directional control immediately after the aircraft touched down on the runway.