What happened
On the afternoon of 22 August 2025, a Sling 2 aircraft, registered ZU-MGB, was conducting a training flight under visual meteorological conditions. The flight, operated under Part 141 regulations, departed from Morningstar Airfield in the Western Cape with a flight instructor and a student pilot on board. The mission involved several maneuvers, including simulated forced landings near Kalbaskraal and a demonstration of a precautionary landing at Altona Airfield.
During the approach to Runway 35 at Altona Airfield, the instructor was flying at approximately 75 knots with stage 3 flaps selected. Upon touching down, the aircraft experienced a loss of directional control, veering left off the runway into a vegetated area. The excursion caused the right main landing gear to twist inward, which subsequently broke the nose gear strut. The aircraft's nose pitched downward, causing the propeller to strike the soft ground before coming to a halt. While the aircraft suffered substantial damage, there were no injuries to the two occupants.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the aircraft's maintenance and the crew's credentials. The investigation confirmed that the flight instructor held a valid Commercial Pilot Licence and a current Class 1 medical certificate. The aircraft, ZU-MGB, had recently undergone its 100-hour annual inspection in August 2025 and was fully compliant with its Certificate of Release to Service. The investigation also noted that the weather conditions were clear and did not contribute to the event.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an unstable approach, which likely resulted in the aircraft landing at an excessive speed.
- This instability led to the pilot losing directional control immediately following touchdown.
- The mechanical failure of the nose gear strut and the twisting of the landing gear were direct results of the aircraft veering off the runway surface.