What happened
On the morning of 25 February 2026, a Cessna U206, registration ZS-PFS, was conducting a positioning flight from Denneoord Aerial Fire Base to Knysna Highway Aerodrome in the Western Cape. The mission was to collect an incident commander for a fire evaluation task.
As the pilot approached the unlicensed, grass-strip aerodrome, he intended to land at the threshold of Runway 13 to maximize available stopping distance on the short runway. However, during the final approach, the aircraft's airspeed decreased significantly while the aircraft descended below the intended glide path. The aircraft touched down on a dirt road approximately 18 meters before the runway began. Upon contact, the main wheels struck an embankment, causing the aircraft to bounce. During the subsequent impact, the nose wheel fork detached from the landing gear, and the nose gear strut dug into the soft earth, causing the aircraft to nose over and come to rest in an inverted position. The pilot was able to exit the aircraft unassisted, though he required medical supervision at a hospital following the incident.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the landing at the unlicensed aerodrome. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was within its weight and balance limitations and was fully serviceable at the time of departure. Meteorological conditions were clear with light winds, and weather was not a contributing factor. The investigation also noted that the pilot was performing his first landing at this specific location.
Findings
- The pilot executed an unstable approach characterized by a progressive decay in airspeed and a descent below the optimal glide path.
- The aircraft touched down short of the runway threshold on a dirt road.
- The pilot was unfamiliar with the specific hazards of the Knysna Highway Aerodrome.
- The pilot did not initiate a go-around despite the deteriorating approach parameters.