Student Pilot Loss of Control During Touch-and-Go at Saldanha-Vredenburg

Casualties unknown • Left of Runway 02 at Saldanha-Vredenburg Aerodrome, Western Cape, ZA

A solo student pilot sustained minor injuries after a Piper PA-38-112 veered off the runway during a tailwind landing at Saldanha-Vredenburg Aerodrome.

What happened

On the morning of 14 December 2024, a solo student pilot was conducting a navigation training flight from Cape Town International Aerodrome to Saldanha-Vredenburg Aerodrome. The flight, part of a Part 141 training program, was intended to include touch-and-go landing exercises. Upon arriving at the unmanned aerodrome, the pilot opted to use Runway 02 for the maneuver.

After touching down and retracting the flaps, the pilot applied full power to initiate the take-off portion of the touch-and-go. As the aircraft reached approximately 60 knots and the nose wheel lifted, the aircraft began to veer left of the runway centerline. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control, causing the aircraft to depart the runway surface and travel across the adjacent dry grass. The impact caused the nose landing gear to bend backward, resulting in the aircraft nosed over. The pilot sustained minor injuries, while the Piper PA-38-112, registration ZS-KHZ, incurred substantial damage.

The investigation

An investigation by the SACAA AIID examined the flight history, meteorological conditions, and aircraft maintenance records. The investigation established that the student pilot had recently resumed training after a 14-month hiatus in his flight education. While the pilot had previously flown over the aerodrome during a navigation flight, he lacked recent experience with the specific runway dimensions and procedures at this location.

Investigators also reviewed the aircraft's maintenance status, noting that the engine had exceeded its required 12-year overhaul interval. Additionally, the investigation looked into the wind conditions at the time of the accident, noting that the prevailing wind was from the south-southwest, which favored Runway 20 rather than the chosen Runway 02.

Findings

  • The pilot performed a landing on Runway 02, which resulted in a tailwind landing.
  • The pilot failed to correctly interpret the surface wind direction and strength despite the presence of two windsocks at the aerodrome.
  • Inadequate right rudder input was applied following the application of full power, leading to the loss of directional control.
  • The student pilot's recent return to flight training after a 14-month break contributed to a lack of proficiency in managing the aircraft during high-power transitions.
  • The aircraft's engine was overdue for a mandatory 12-year overhaul.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the pilot's incorrect assessment of the prevailing wind, leading to a tailwind landing, and a subsequent failure to maintain directional control through sufficient right rudder input when advancing the throttle to full power.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2024-12-14 Piper PA-38-112 accident near Left of Runway 02 at Saldanha-Vredenburg Aerodrome, Western Cape, ZA?

A solo student pilot sustained minor injuries after a Piper PA-38-112 veered off the runway during a tailwind landing at Saldanha-Vredenburg Aerodrome.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2024-12-14 involved a Piper PA-38-112, registration ZS-KHZ, at Left of Runway 02 at Saldanha-Vredenburg Aerodrome, Western Cape, ZA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot's incorrect assessment of the prevailing wind, leading to a tailwind landing, and a subsequent failure to maintain directional control through sufficient right rudder input when advancing the throttle to full power.

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