What happened
On the afternoon of 5 September 2024, a student pilot was conducting a solo navigational training flight from Virginia Airport to Richards Bay Airport in KwaZulu-Natal. The flight, performed under Part 141 training regulations, was intended to conclude back at the departure airfield.
Upon arriving at Richards Bay Airport, the pilot was cleared for a touch-and-go maneuver on Runway 05. As the aircraft approached the runway, the pilot reduced throttle and initiated a flare. During this phase, the aircraft lost altitude, and the pilot felt a gust of wind lift the aircraft. In an attempt to recover, the pilot applied full power to execute a go-around. However, the aircraft entered a porpoising motion and struck the runway with the nose wheel first. The impact caused the nose gear strut to collapse and the propeller to strike the runway surface. The Sling 2, registration ZU-ST/B, came to a halt approximately 490 meters from the runway threshold. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft suffered substantial damage.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the landing and the aircraft's maintenance history. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy and had a valid Authority to Fly at the time of the incident. Maintenance records showed the aircraft had undergone its 100-hour inspection approximately 98 hours prior to the accident.
Regarding environmental conditions, the investigation found that the reported crosswind was 3.86 knots, well within the aircraft's maximum demonstrated crosswind limit of 15 knots. The pilot, who had accumulated 70.7 total flying hours, reported an approach speed between 65 and 70 knots.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was likely that the student pilot flared too early, leading to a porpoising effect and a heavy nose-first touchdown.
- A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to successfully complete a go-around after applying full power during the recovery attempt.