What happened
On the morning of 5 October 2024, a flight instructor and a student pilot were conducting circuit training at Ermelo Aerodrome (FAEO) in Mpumalanga. The flight, operating under Part 1-41 regulations, involved a Jabiru J400 with registration ZU-JBA.
During a touch-and-go maneuver on Runway 13, the aircraft approached at 75 knots with 20 degrees of flaps. During the landing phase, the aircraft struck the runway with significant force on the right main landing gear. Recognizing the severity of the impact, the instructor immediately aborted the intended take-off and opted for a full-stop landing. The crew taxied the aircraft to a hangar, and both occupants remained uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the impact and the airworthiness status of the aircraft. The investigation confirmed that the flight instructor held a valid Commercial Pilot Licence and a Grade 3 instructor rating, while the student pilot had logged 12.2 flight hours.
Regarding the aircraft's maintenance and legality, the investigation established that the Jabiru J400 possessed a valid Authority-to-fly and a current Certificate of Release to Service. The training organization also held a valid certificate. The inspection of the aircraft following the event revealed that the right landing gear strut had undergone delamination as a direct result of the landing force.
Findings
- The primary cause of the structural failure was a hard landing during a touch-and-go exercise.
- The impact resulted in the delamination of the right main landing gear strut.