Incident Summary
On the morning of 23 August 2024, at approximately 0820Z, a student pilot flying a Jabiru J230 aircraft (registration ZU-SEL) was initiating a solo navigational training flight from Rhino Park Airfield in Gauteng province. The intended route included stops at Witbank Aerodrome (FAWI) and Secunda Airfield (FASC) in Mpumalanga province before returning to Rhino Park. The flight was conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC) by day and in accordance with Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 2011, as amended.
During the takeoff roll on Runway 09, the aircraft encountered a significant left crosswind. As the ground speed reached 50 knots and rotation began, the aircraft developed a leftward drift. The student pilot applied right rudder to correct, but the drift continued, leading to a loss of control.
The aircraft veered left toward the edge of the taxiway. The nose wheel struck the concrete edge of the taxiway, causing the nose landing gear strut to collapse and the propeller to contact the ground. The student pilot closed the throttle and applied toe brakes as the aircraft rolled over the paved taxiway, coming to a stop approximately 30 metres from the runway edge.
The accident site was located at GPS coordinates 25°49'57.95"S, 028°32'28.97"E, at a field elevation of 3,189 feet.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft, a Shadow Lite CC Jabiru J230 (serial number 828), had accumulated 431.1 total flight hours. It held an Authority to Fly (ATF) issued on 14 September 2023, expiring 30 August 2024, and was registered to the current owner on 18 January 2024. The annual inspection was current (date not specified).
The pilot held a Student Pilot Licence (SPL) issued on 24 February 2022, valid until 11 March 2025, and a Class 2 aviation medical certificate issued 8 January 2024, valid until 26 January 2026. He had a total of 70 flight hours, with 65 hours on type, and 14.2 hours in the previous 30 days.
The pilot was recommended for solo flight at 34 hours, exceeding the Part 61.02.7 guideline of 30 hours dual instruction before solo. At the time of the accident, he had not yet obtained a Private Pilot Licence (PPL). The report notes that the student pilot had not shown satisfactory progression after being recommended for solo flight.
Investigation Details
The Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH) for the J230 specifies a maximum demonstrated crosswind component of 14 knots. The crosswind component at the time of the accident was calculated to be 11.34 knots, based on a wind speed of 12 knots and a wind direction of 40° (angular difference from runway heading of 090° being 50°). This value was within the aircraft's demonstrated limit.
The crosswind takeoff procedure from the J230 POH includes holding full aileron into the wind during the takeoff roll and easing as speed increases, while maintaining directional control with the nose wheel on the ground until approximately 45 KIAS. Standard techniques for crosswind correction involve using aileron into the wind and rudder to maintain runway alignment.
Findings
The investigation identified the following points:
1. The student pilot held a valid SPL and medical certificate. He had logged 70 hours total, with 65 hours on the aircraft type. 2. The student pilot had not obtained a PPL despite 70 hours. Solo flight is typically recommended within 32 hours. The report states that excessive hours indicate a lack of satisfactory progression, referencing CAR Part 61.02.7 which outlines procedures for students who fail to progress after solo. 3. The aircraft was properly certified and maintained, with a valid ATF and current annual inspection. 4. The nose landing gear strut collapsed upon impact with the concrete taxiway edge, resulting in substantial damage to the nose gear, propeller spinner, and propeller blades. The pilot was not injured.