What happened
On the afternoon of 25 September 2024, a Kitplane Safari with registration ZU-JOG was performing circuit training at Wings Park Aerodrome in the Eastern Cape. The flight, operated under private provisions, included a pilot and one passenger. The mission involved a series of touch-and-go landings and simulated emergency procedures.
During one of the maneuvers, the pilot initiated a simulated engine failure by reducing engine power to idle while climbing. At an altitude of approximately 200 feet above ground level, the aircraft's speed dropped to 50 knots. The pilot failed to maintain the necessary glide speed, leading to a high sink rate and a heavy impact upon landing. This hard landing caused substantial damage to the aircraft's main landing gear. Unaware of the structural damage, the pilot applied full power and successfully took off again, but a subsequent landing on the circuit caused further damage to the gear.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the flight circumstances and the aircraft's maintenance history. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid Airline Transport Pilot Licence and was appropriately rated for the aircraft type. The aircraft's maintenance records showed that the annual inspection was current, with only 8.7 hours flown since the last service. The investigation focused on the flight dynamics during the simulated emergency procedure and the pilot's management of airspeed during the power reduction.