Sling 2 Training Accident at Lanseria International Airport (ZU-FVU)

Occurrence Overview On 15 August 2024, a Sling Aircraft Factory Sling 2 with registration ZU-FVU was involved in an accident during a training flight at Lanseria International Airport (FALA), Gauteng Province, South Africa. The aircraft departed FALA for a flight to the Magaliesburg general flying area and returned for landing. The occurrence took place on Runway 25 at approximately 1050Z, with GPS coordinates 25°55'55.00″S, 27°56'6.74″E and an elevation of 4,298 ft. ## Flight and Pilot Details The pilot-in-command was a 21-year-old female student pilot holding a valid Student Pilot Licence (SPL), with 30 total hours and 63.2 hours on type. The flight was conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC) by day in accordance with Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2011. The aircraft had 465.4 total hours recorded in the report’s aircraft information section, while maintenance records cited 5,535.5 airframe hours at the time of the accident. ## Sequence of Events After returning to FALA, the student pilot was instructed to orbit due to congested airspace before being cleared to join the circuit and land on Runway 25. The pilot reported an approach speed of approximately 75 knots with flaps extended to 40 degrees. The main wheels touched down and the aircraft bounced. On the second touchdown, the nose wheel contacted the runway first, causing the nose gear strut to collapse and the propeller blades to strike the runway surface. The aircraft sustained minor damage, and the pilot vacated the aircraft unharmed. ## Weather and Aircraft Status Weather at FALA was reported as CAVOK with a wind of 250° at 0 knots, visibility of 9,999 m, temperature of 23°C, and QNH of 1,027 hPa. The report stated that neither the weather nor the runway was a factor in the accident. The aircraft had no defects recorded in the flight folio at the time of the flight. ## Findings and Probable Cause The investigation found that the accident resulted from an unstable approach that led to a bounce and a nose-wheel-first landing, causing the nose gear strut to collapse. Lack of experience was identified as a contributing factor. No fatalities or injuries were reported.