What happened
On the afternoon of 9 March 2024, a student pilot was conducting a solo training flight at Mahikeng Aerodrome in the North West province. The flight, operating under Part 141 regulations, involved a Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee, registration ZS-CJG, intended for a series of circuit maneuvers and touch-and-go landings.
After completing a standard pre-flight inspection and receiving takeoff clearance, the pilot commenced the takeoff roll on Runway 04. The aircraft successfully rotated and climbed to circuit height. Following the completion of a circuit, the pilot prepared for a landing, extending the flaps to 40 degrees. The aircraft touched down smoothly on the runway.
In an attempt to execute a touch-and-go, the pilot retracted the flaps to 10 degrees and applied full throttle. During this power application, the aircraft began to drift toward the right side of the runway. In an effort to stop the aircraft, the pilot applied heavy braking, which caused the aircraft to veer off the paved surface and come to rest on the adjacent grass. The incident resulted in substantial damage to the propeller and the nose landing gear strut, though the pilot escaped without injury.
The investigation
The SACAA AIID investigation reviewed the aircraft's maintenance and the pilot's credentials. The ZS-CJG was found to be airworthy, with a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and a recent 100-hour inspection, although the aircraft had flown 98.6 hours since that inspection. The student pilot held a valid Student Pilot Licence and a current Class 2 medical certificate. Meteorological data indicated favorable flying conditions with high visibility and a negligible crosswind component of only 1.71 knots.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was that the pilot failed to use the rudder to compensate during the takeoff roll, leading to a loss of directional control.
- The pilot's lack of flight experience contributed to the inability to maintain the centerline during the high-power phase of the touch-and-go.
- The aircraft's mechanical state was not a factor, as all required inspections and certifications were up to date at the time of the accident.