What happened
On 14 August 2025, a Cessna 402C, registration ZS-MPR, departed from Wonderboom Airport for Lephalale (Ellisras) Airport. The flight, operated under Part 91 regulations, was carrying a pilot and five passengers. During the arrival at Lephalale, the pilot aligned the aircraft for a landing on Runway 09.
Upon touchdown, the pilot noted a leftward yaw. Despite applying full right rudder, the aircraft continued to drift left, eventually departing the runway and coming to rest in bushy terrain adjacent to the strip. While there were 0 fatalities and no injuries to the occupants, the aircraft suffered substantial damage.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft and the site conditions at Lephalable (Ellisras) Airport. Post-accident inspections of the Cessna 402C revealed no mechanical failures or system malfunctions that could have caused the directional deviation. However, physical evidence showed multiple impact marks on the left wing, including the wing tip and an outboard section being severed upon contact with vegetation.
Video footage from the recovery team confirmed that the left wing struck trees and vegetation along the edge of the runway. The investigation also noted that the airport, operated by the South African National Defence Force, lacks the standard regulatory oversight of Part 139 aerodromes and featured significant vegetation encroaching on the runway edges.
Findings
- The pilot performed an unstable approach at a speed of approximately 110 knots, which exceeded the recommended landing speed of 95 knots.
- This high-speed touchdown occurred left of the runway centerline, reducing the aircraft's stability and the pilot's ability to maintain directional control.
- The aircraft's left wing struck vegetation on the runway edge, causing the wing tip to break off and further pulling the aircraft off the centerline.
- The lack of a cleared runway safety area contributed to the severity of the excursion.