What happened
On the morning of 14 May 2024, a training flight involving a flight instructor and a student pilot departed from Port Alfred Aerodrome in the Eastern Cape. The flight, conducted under Part 141 regulations, utilized a Piper PA-28 180F with registration ZS-IKJ for circuit and landing exercises.
After completing several initial circuits with the instructor on board, the student pilot continued solo operations. During the training session, the student pilot performed several maneuvers, including a go-around prompted by air traffic control due to runway occupancy and a self-initiated go-around due to a perceived high approach. During the fourth circuit, the student pilot approached the runway at an excessive height, passing the 240-meter reference point at approximately 290 feet above ground level.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft struck the runway with the nose gear first. Following the impact, the student pilot retracted the flaps, but the aircraft lost directional control. The ZS-IKJ veered off the runway and struck a bush on the left side of the airstrip. There were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries resulting from the event.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the landing and the mechanical state of the aircraft. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy and had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness at the time of the accident. Maintenance records indicated that the aircraft had undergone a mandatory periodic inspection earlier that year and was within its service intervals.
Investigators focused on the flight path during the final approach. It was established that the aircraft's altitude at the reference point was significantly higher than the recommended 10 to 20 feet for a standard flare. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting the student pilot held a valid Student Pilot Licence and a current medical certificate.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was that the aircraft was too high on final approach, leading to an improper flare.
- This high approach resulted in a hard landing where the nose gear impacted the runway first.
- The force of the impact caused the nose gear to fail, which subsequently led to the loss of directional control and the runway excursion.
- A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to execute a go-around despite the unstable approach parameters.