What happened
On 26 March 2025, a Piper PA28 RT-201T, registration ZS-KTA, was attempting a departure from an unregistered private airstrip at Alma Private Game Farm in the Waterberg region of Limpopo. The flight, operated under Part 91 regulations, was intended to proceed to New Tempe Aerodrome in the Free State.
During the takeoff roll on the 800-meter sand-covered runway, the pilot configured the aircraft with 10 degrees of flaps and 2,550 RPM. After rotating at 75 KIAS, the pilot realized there was insufficient altitude to clear a perimeter fence and a line of trees located at the end of the runway. Consequently, the pilot reduced throttle and attempted to land back on the remaining runway surface.
During the subsequent landing roll, the pilot applied heavy braking to avoid the obstacles. This aggressive deceleration caused a loss of directional control. The nose gear pivoted, triggering a sharp leftward swing of the tail. This motion caused the left main landing gear to collapse inward while the right gear was forced outward, damaging the oleo strut attachment points. The aircraft came to a rest with its left wing touching the ground. There were no injuries to the two occupants.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the aircraft's maintenance history and the pilot's credentials. The Piper PA28 RT-201T was found to be airworthy, with a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and a recent periodic inspection completed in October 2024. The pilot held a valid Private Pilot Licence with significant total flying experience, though only 4.25 hours had been accumulated on this specific aircraft type.
Investigators also reviewed the aircraft's Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) regarding soft-field takeoff procedures. The investigation focused on the specific configuration and speeds used during the departure attempt compared to the manufacturer's recommendations for such environments.
Findings
- The pilot utilized a flap setting of 10 degrees, whereas the POH recommends 25 degrees for short-field take-offs.
- The pilot performed the rotation at 75 KIAS, which exceeded the recommended 53 to 64 KIAS range for the best angle of climb.
- The primary cause of the accident was a rejected take-off following incorrect short field take-off techniques on a soft sand surface with obstacles at the runway end.