Accident Overview
On 20 March 2024, a student pilot operating a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee aircraft, registration ZS-MLF, conducted a solo consolidation flight from Lanseria International Airport (FALA) in Gauteng Province, South Africa. The flight, conducted under Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations, was intended to return to the same airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.
Flight and Landing Sequence
The student pilot departed from Runway 07 without incident and flew a circuit. The air traffic control officer cleared the pilot for a touch-and-go landing on Runway 07, with wind reported as 120° at 10 knots. According to the chief flight instructor, the aircraft appeared stable on final approach. However, after touchdown, during the landing roll, the aircraft veered to the right, exited the runway, and entered the grass area.
Post-Impact Condition
The nose gear strut failed, and the propeller struck the ground before the aircraft came to a stop. The crash alarm was activated, and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting personnel responded. The student pilot vacated the aircraft unharmed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Speed Analysis
Post-accident review of the pilot's questionnaire revealed that the landing speed was between 85 and 90 miles per hour (MPH). The Pilot's Operating Handbook specifies an approach and landing speed of 66 MPH. Thus, the aircraft was traveling 19 to 24 MPH faster than recommended. An E6B flight computer indicated a crosswind from the right.
Pilot and Aircraft Information
The student pilot held a valid Student Pilot Licence issued on 1 September 2023, with a Class 2 medical certificate valid until 31 August 2028. She had 59 total hours on the aircraft type and 6.7 total flying hours. The aircraft had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and Certificate of Release to Service, with no defects recorded in the flight folio.
Training Organization and Regulatory Compliance
The Approved Training Organization (ATO) held a valid certificate. However, the ATO failed to apply the discontinuance of flight training provisions under Part 61.02.7, which require evaluation by the chief flight instructor after certain thresholds of dual training hours.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factor
The probable cause of the accident was the aircraft's high speed during approach and landing, resulting in loss of control before veering off the runway. A contributing factor was the incorrect approach speed, which was too high.