Sling 2 aircraft veers off runway following hard landing at Rhino Park Airfield

Casualties unknown • Runway 09 Rhino Park Airfield, ZA

A private flight involving a Sling 2 aircraft resulted in substantial damage after a high-speed approach led to a bounce and subsequent loss of directional control.

What happened

On 23 January 2024, a Sling 2 aircraft, registration ZU-FWN, was conducting a private flight training exercise in Gauteng province. After performing several touch-and-go landings and practicing maneuvers at Pretoria GFA 2, the pilot attempted to return to Rhino Park Airfield.

During the landing on Runway 09, the pilot experienced a downward pull at the nose of the aircraft during the flare. This resulted in a hard touchdown and a subsequent bounce. During the second contact with the runway, the nose gear tire burst and the propeller struck the ground. The impact caused the pilot to lose directional control, leading the aircraft to veer left off the runway and come to a rest on the grass. Both the pilot and the passenger were uninjured, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage, including a bent engine cradle and a damaged nose gear.

The investigation

SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the landing and the mechanical state of the aircraft. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid Private Pilot Licence and a current medical certificate. The aircraft's maintenance records showed the last annual inspection had been completed approximately 25 hours prior to the event. The investigation focused on the flight dynamics during the final approach and the sequence of mechanical failures following the bounce.

Findings

  • The aircraft was approaching the runway at an excessive airspeed.
  • The high approach speed caused a hard landing and a subsequent bounce.
  • The impact of the bounce led to the bursting of the nose gear tire and the propeller striking the runway surface.
  • The loss of directional control was a direct result of the tire failure and ground contact.

Probable cause

The primary cause of the accident was an excessive airspeed during the approach, which triggered a hard landing and a bounce, subsequently leading to a tire burst and propeller strike.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2024-01-23 Sling 2 accident near Runway 09 Rhino Park Airfield, ZA?

A private flight involving a Sling 2 aircraft resulted in substantial damage after a high-speed approach led to a bounce and subsequent loss of directional control.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2024-01-23 involved a Sling 2, registration ZU-FWN, at Runway 09 Rhino Park Airfield, ZA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The primary cause of the accident was an excessive airspeed during the approach, which triggered a hard landing and a bounce, subsequently leading to a tire burst and propeller strike.

Loading the flight search…