Jabiru 400 nose gear and propeller damage during landing at Rhino Park

Casualties unknown • On Runway 27 at Rhino Park Aerodrome, Gauteng, ZA

A private flight involving a Jabiru 400 ended with minor aircraft damage after a late flare caused the nose gear to strike the runway at Rhino Park Aerodrome.

What happened

On 7 October 2024, a Jabiru 400 aircraft, registered ZU-CMZ, was conducting a private flight from Kitty Hawk Aerodrome to Rhino Park Aerodrome in Gauteng Province. The flight was operating under visual meteorological conditions in accordance with Part 94 regulations.

During the approach to Runway 27, the aircraft was configured with full flaps and traveling at a speed of 65 knots. As the aircraft neared the ground, the pilot performed a late flare. This maneuver caused the aircraft to impact the runway surface with significant force, specifically hitting the nose gear first. The impact was severe enough that the propeller subsequently struck the ground. The aircraft came to a halt approximately 300 meters from the runway threshold. There were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries among the two occupants on board.

The investigation

SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the landing and the technical state of the aircraft. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy and had undergone its last annual inspection only 13 hours prior to the event. The pilot held a valid Private Pilot Licence and a current medical certificate.

Weather conditions at the time of the incident were favorable, with visibility exceeding 10 kilometers and a light surface wind of 280 degrees at 10 knots. The investigation focused on the pilot's execution of the landing flare and the aircraft's configuration during the final moments of flight.

Probable cause

The primary cause of the incident was the pilot performing a late flare during the landing phase, which led to the nose gear striking the runway and the propeller making contact with the ground.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2024-10-07 Shadow Lite CC; Jabiru 400 accident near On Runway 27 at Rhino Park Aerodrome, Gauteng, ZA?

A private flight involving a Jabiru 400 ended with minor aircraft damage after a late flare caused the nose gear to strike the runway at Rhino Park Aerodrome.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2024-10-07 involved a Shadow Lite CC; Jabiru 400, registration ZU-CMZ, at On Runway 27 at Rhino Park Aerodrome, Gauteng, ZA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The primary cause of the incident was the pilot performing a late flare during the landing phase, which led to the nose gear striking the runway and the propeller making contact with the ground.

Loading the flight search…