What happened
On 28 September 2024, a Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee, registration ZS-JUA, was conducting a private flight from Bundu Inn Airfield to Middleburg Airfield (FAMB) in Mpumalanga Province. The flight was being operated by a pilot building hours toward a Commercial Pilot Licence.
During the final approach to Runway 3 and the subsequent landing roll, the aircraft encountered significant wind conditions, with a calculated crosswind of 13 knots and gusts reaching 26 knots. As the pilot attempted the roundout, the aircraft drifted left of the runway centerline because the crosswind was not properly compensated for. An attempt to execute a go-around with full power resulted in a hard touchdown on the grass surface left of the runway.
Following the touchdown, the pilot applied brakes, but the aircraft lost directional control. The nose gear struck a taxiway sign, causing the strut to break off and the propeller to strike the ground. The aircraft eventually came to rest on a gravel area approximately 7 metres from the runway. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the propeller, nose gear, and lower engine cowling.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the flight conditions, aircraft maintenance records, and pilot experience. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid Private Pilot Licence and a current Class 2 medical certificate. The aircraft was found to be airworthy, with all mandatory periodic inspections and maintenance certificates up to date.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of directional control during the landing roll, resulting from a failure to compensate for crosswind and gusting wind conditions.
- The pilot was in the process of building flight hours and lacked extensive experience in managing challenging wind conditions during critical flight phases.
- Meteorological data confirmed wind speeds of 14 knots gusting to 26 knots at the time of the occurrence.