Accident Overview
On Tuesday morning, 1 October 2024, at approximately 0635Z, a student pilot (SP) conducted a solo training flight from Mafikeng Aerodrome (FAMM) in North West province. The aircraft, a Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee (registration ZS-LCC), departed under visual meteorological conditions (VMC) by day, operating under Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2011 as amended.
Flight Details
The take-off and flight to the general flying area (GFA) were uneventful. In the GFA, the SP performed Exercises 15 (steep turns), 16 (forced landing), and 17 (precautionary landing). After completing these, she returned to FAMM for a full-stop landing. FAMM has a single asphalt runway, 04/22, approximately 4.5 km long. About 5 nautical miles from the aerodrome, the SP reported her position and intention to land to air traffic control (ATC). ATC cleared her to join the right-side circuit for landing on Runway 22 and provided weather conditions: wind 210 degrees at 18 knots, ceiling and visibility okay (CAVOK).
Landing Sequence
According to the SP, the wind was strong on the downwind leg. She reported final approach and was cleared to land. On approach at 75 knots, a gust from the left pushed the aircraft right of the centreline. She corrected back to centreline but positioned slightly left. She then flared too early and too high, causing a hard touchdown on the left main landing gear first, followed by a bounce before the aircraft came to a stop on the centreline, facing slightly right. The left main landing gear sustained substantial damage. The SP was not injured.
Pilot and Aircraft Information
The SP held a Student Pilot Licence (SPL) issued 19 April 2023, with a valid Class 2 medical certificate. She had 46.9 total flying hours, including 6 hours solo. She was recommended for solo flight after 30.9 hours of dual instruction. The training records indicated no flight safety concerns.
The aircraft held a Certificate of Airworthiness issued 19 December 2023, valid until 28 February 2025. The last mandatory periodic inspection was on 13 September 2024 at 5005.2 airframe hours, with the aircraft having 5036.1 hours at the time of the accident. No systems defects were recorded. The approach speed was 75 knots, higher than the recommended 66 knots. The flare was early and high, increasing descent rate and leading to the hard touchdown and bounce.