Yakovlev YAK52 veers off runway during high-wind landing

Casualties unknown • Runway 22 at Wings Park Aerodrome near East London, Eastern Cape, ZA

A private flight in the Eastern Cape resulted in substantial aircraft damage after a strong crosswind caused a Yakovlev YAK52 to exit the runway.

What happened

On 30 May 2024, a pilot was operating a private flight from Port Elizabeth Aerodrome to Wings Park Aerodrome in the Eastern Cape. The flight, conducted under visual meteorological conditions, proceeded without incident until the landing phase on Runway 22.

As the pilot approached the runway at 90 knots with full flaps, a powerful wind from the north struck the right side of the aircraft. This sudden force caused the Yakovlev YAK52, registration ZU-EWJ, to veer sharply to the left. Despite the pilot's attempts to correct the deviation using right rudder and foot brakes, the aircraft drifted off the runway surface. The aircraft subsequently careered leftward until the right wing struck a tree. The pilot was able to disembark from the aircraft without assistance, and no injuries were reported, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The investigation

SACAA AIID investigators analyzed weather data from the South African Weather Service and the aircraft's performance parameters. The investigation focused on the wind components at the time of the accident and the aircraft's operational limits.

Data indicated that at the time of the occurrence, winds were 14 knots with gusts up to 24 knots. This resulted in a crosswind component of 22.4 knots and a tailwind of 8.21 knots. Investigators compared these figures against the aircraft's flight manual, which specifies a maximum allowable crosswind of 11.6 knots. Furthermore, the investigation examined the pilot's approach speed, noting that the landing speed of 90 knots significantly exceeded the recommended 62 to 65 knots specified in the Pilot's Operating Handbook.

Findings

  • The aircraft was operated in a crosswind exceeding its maximum certified limit by 10.8 knots.
  • The pilot performed the landing at 90 knots, which, when combined with the 8.21-knot tailwind, resulted in a ground speed of 98.2 knots—approximately 36 knots faster than the recommended landing speed.
  • The combination of high approach speed and extreme wind components caused the loss of directional control on the runway.

Probable cause

The aircraft veered off the runway due to a landing performed at high speed into a strong tailwind and a crosswind that significantly exceeded the aircraft's operational limitations.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2024-05-30 Yakovlev; YAK52 accident near Runway 22 at Wings Park Aerodrome near East London, Eastern Cape, ZA?

A private flight in the Eastern Cape resulted in substantial aircraft damage after a strong crosswind caused a Yakovlev YAK52 to exit the runway.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2024-05-30 involved a Yakovlev; YAK52, registration ZU-EWJ, at Runway 22 at Wings Park Aerodrome near East London, Eastern Cape, ZA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft veered off the runway due to a landing performed at high speed into a strong tailwind and a crosswind that significantly exceeded the aircraft's operational limitations.

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