What happened
On 19 June 2023, a student pilot was conducting a solo flight exercise at Grand Central Aerodrome (FAGC) in Gauteng. The flight followed a pre-solo check flight conducted with a flight instructor, which included several touch-and-go landings. After the instructor disembarked to monitor the student's performance from the control tower, the student pilot took off again for a solo circuit.
While flying at a circuit altitude of approximately 1,000 feet AGL, the student pilot prepared for landing by extending the flaps to 30 degrees at a speed of roughly 65 knots. During the landing sequence, the aircraft's nose pitched down abruptly, causing the nose gear to strike the runway surface first. The impact caused the nose gear fork and strut to break, and the propeller made contact with the runway. The aircraft subsequently skidded along the runway before coming to a halt in the grass area adjacent to the runway. There were 0 fatalities and no injuries to the student pilot, though the Cessna 172K Skyhawk, registration ZS-LXE, sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the landing and the mechanical state of the aircraft. The investigation confirmed that the student pilot held a valid Student Pilot Licence and a Class 2 medical certificate. The flight was conducted under Part 141 regulations, and weather conditions at the time were favorable with visual meteorological conditions prevailing.
Technical inspections of the Cessna 172K Skyhawk revealed that the aircraft was airworthy and had undergone a 100-hour inspection approximately nine days prior to the accident. Post-accident examinations by engineers found no mechanical abnormalities in the flight controls, throttle, or trim systems. The engine and propeller were inspected, and the aircraft's maintenance records were found to be in order.