What happened
On 19 June 2024, a student pilot was conducting a solo navigational training flight in a Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk, registration ZS-PIB. The flight originated from Cape Town International Airport (FACT), proceeding to Springbok Airfield (FASB) and returning to the same departure point. The flight was being conducted under visual meteorological conditions as part of a Part 141 training program.
Upon returning to Cape Town International Airport at approximately 1410Z, the pilot was cleared to land on Runway 19. During the landing roll, the pilot lost directional control, causing the aircraft to veer toward the left side of the runway. Despite attempts to correct the deviation using right rudder, the aircraft exited the paved surface and entered the grass area. The impact caused the nose gear strut to collapse. The aircraft came to a stop roughly 7 meters from the runway edge. While the pilot sustained no injuries, the aircraft suffered substantial damage, including impacts to the propeller blades, nose gear, engine cowling, and the right-wing tip.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators reviewed the pilot's credentials and the aircraft's maintenance history. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid Student Pilot Licence and a Class 2 medical certificate. The aircraft, ZS-PIB, was found to have a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and was within its mandatory periodic inspection interval.
However, the investigation noted that the student pilot had accumulated 129.2 total flight hours, which exceeded the 45-hour threshold specified in the Civil Aviation Regulations for those not on an integrated training program. Additionally, the investigation examined the training organization's adherence to regulations regarding the continuation of flight training for students who have exceeded certain hour limits without progressing to a Private Pilot Licence.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of directional control during the landing roll, which led to the aircraft veering off the runway.
- The pilot was adequately licensed and medically cleared for the flight.
- The aircraft was properly maintained and airworthy at the time of the occurrence.
- The student pilot had exceeded the 45-hour flight time limit prescribed for certain training categories without transitioning to a PPL.
- The training organization did not discontinue the student's training in accordance with the specific provisions of Part 61.02.7 of the CAR.