What happened
On the afternoon of 11 January 2024, a Ravin 500 aircraft, registration ZU-TNF, was conducting a private scenic flight departing from Mossel Bay Aerodrome (FAMO) in the Western Cape. The flight, operated under visual meteorological conditions, was intended to be a round trip returning to the same aerodrome.
As the aircraft approached Runway 28 for a full-stop landing, the pilot reported that the aircraft was stable with a steady descent rate. However, during the final approach, the pilot's vision was obscured by intense sunlight. This loss of visual reference caused the pilot to execute an early flare. Consequently, the aircraft made a hard touchdown, causing the left main landing gear to collapse. The aircraft veered left of the runway centerline, coming to rest near the edge of the paved surface. While the aircraft sustained substantial damage, there were no injuries to the two occupants on board.
The investigation
The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy and maintained with a valid Authority to Fly and a current Certificate of Release to Service. The pilot held a valid Private Pilot Licence and a Class 2 medical certificate. No mechanical defects were reported on the aircraft prior to the departure from Mossel Bay.