What Happened
On 5 September 2024 at 1237Z, a student pilot flying a Sling 2 aircraft (registration ZU-STB) conducted a solo navigational training flight from Virginia Airport (FAVG) to Richards Bay Airport (FARB) in KwaZulu-Natal province, with the intention to return to FAVG. The flight was operated under Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations in visual meteorological conditions (VMC) by day.
The student pilot reported an uneventful flight to FARB. Upon arrival, she was cleared for a touch-and-go landing on Runway 05. During the flare, she closed the throttle and pulled back the control yoke, but the aircraft lost height. A gust of wind pushed the aircraft upward, and she applied full power to execute a go-around. Instead of climbing, the aircraft porpoised and landed hard with the nose wheel first, causing the nose landing gear strut to collapse and the propeller to strike the runway. The aircraft came to a stop approximately 490 metres from the threshold of Runway 05. The student pilot switched off the master switch and disembarked; she was unharmed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a The Airplane Factory Sling 2, serial number 244, with total airframe hours of 2795.6 at the time of the accident. The last 100-hour annual inspection was certified on 19 July 2024 at 2697.4 airframe hours, and the aircraft had accrued 98.5 hours since then. It held a valid Authority to Fly certificate issued on 26 July 2024, expiring 31 August 2025. The aircraft was airworthy when dispatched.
Pilot Information
The student pilot held a Student Pilot Licence (SPL) issued on 2 July 2022, valid until 30 June 2025, and a valid Class 2 aviation medical certificate. She had accumulated 70.7 total flying hours, all on the Sling 2, including 27.9 hours in the past 90 days. At the time of the accident, she had 30 days and 14.6 hours since her last flight (as per the report's table). After the accident, the flying school assessed her competency as required by regulations, and the Chief Flying Instructor recommended continued flight activity.
Weather and Conditions
The flight was conducted in visual meteorological conditions by day. The reported crosswind on Runway 05 was 3.86 knots, while the aircraft's maximum demonstrated crosswind was 15 knots. The aircraft's speed on final approach was between 65 and 70 knots, as stated by the student pilot.
Findings
The investigation identified that the student pilot had a valid licence and medical certificate. The aircraft was properly maintained and airworthy. The crosswind was well within the aircraft's limits. The porpoising behavior was consistent with a bounced landing improperly recovered, where the aircraft touches down nose-first, leading to oscillations.
Probable Cause
It is likely that the student pilot flared too early, causing the aircraft to porpoise and land hard with the nose landing gear first. A contributing factor was the failure to go-around after applying full power.