Occurrence
On 22 August 2025 at 1315Z, a flight instructor and a student pilot were conducting a training flight in a Sling 2 aircraft (registration ZU-MGB) under Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations. The flight departed Morningstar Airfield, Western Cape, and proceeded to Kalbaskraal for simulated forced landing demonstrations before routing to Altona Airstrip for a precautionary landing demonstration.
After completing circuits, the instructor established the aircraft on final approach to Runway 35 at Altona Airstrip with stage 3 flaps selected and an approach speed of approximately 75 knots. Following touchdown, the instructor lost directional control, and the aircraft veered left off the runway into vegetation. The spring-loaded right main landing gear slid and twisted inward, causing the nose gear strut to break. The nose pitched down, and the propeller struck the soft ground. The instructor then shut off the fuel selector and master switch. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; no persons were injured.
Findings
The flight instructor held a valid Commercial Pilot Licence and a Class 1 medical certificate, with 652.1 total flight hours, including 405 hours on the accident aircraft type. The aircraft had a valid Authority-to-Fly Certificate and had undergone its last 100-hour/annual inspection on 18 August 2025 at 8787.2 total airframe hours. The operator held a valid Approved Training Organisation Certificate.
Weather conditions were clear and did not contribute to the accident.
Probable Cause
It is possible that the aircraft was unstable during approach for landing which resulted in the aircraft landing too fast; subsequently, the flight instructor lost directional control of the aircraft.