What happened
On 11 January 2025, a Jabiru J4/30 aircraft, registration ZU-EDE, departed Morningstar Airfield in the Western Cape for a short flight under visual meteorological conditions. After approximately one hour of flight, the pilot returned to the airfield. Upon observing a slight right crosswind on Runway 20, the pilot opted to land on the opposite, upslope Runway 02.
During the final approach with flaps set at 30°, the aircraft encountered a left crosswind of 3.86 kts. As the aircraft reached roughly 10 feet above the runway, the pilot attempted to initiate a go-around by increasing engine power; however, the engine failed to respond as anticipated. This resulted in a hard landing on the runway. During the subsequent landing roll, the pilot lost directional control, causing the aircraft to veer right and exit the runway. The impact caused the nose gear strut to collapse and the propeller to strike the ground. No injuries were sustained by the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the landing and the aircraft's mechanical state. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft had been properly maintained by an approved organization, with a valid authority-to-fly and a recent maintenance inspection. The pilot held a valid Private Pilot Licence and a Class 2 medical certificate. The investigation also reviewed the meteorological conditions, noting a tailwind component of 4.60 kts and a crosswind of 3.86 kts during the landing phase.
Findings
- The landing was characterized by an unstable approach.
- A delay in engine response during the go-around attempt contributed to the high sink rate.
- The combination of the tailwind and crosswind increased the aircraft's landing speed.
- The hard landing caused significant structural damage, specifically the delamination of the right main landing gear strut and the collapse of the nose gear.