Synopsis
On 15 August 2020 at 0810Z, a Piper PA-28-180 aircraft with registration ZS-MZU was substantially damaged when the student pilot experienced a bounced landing on Runway 29 at Wonderboom Aerodrome (FAWB). The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual flight rules prevailed and a flight plan was filed. The flight departed FAWB at 0550Z on a solo navigational flight conducted under Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations.
History of the Flight
The aircraft departed Wonderboom at 0550Z. The student pilot flew to Witbank Aerodrome (FAWI) and Secunda Aerodrome (FASC) before returning to FAWB for a full stop landing; no landings were made at FAWI or FASC. Approaching FAWB from the southeast, she made radio contact with air traffic control (ATC). ATC instructed her to maintain 5 600 ft and report south of Roodeplaat Dam joining long final for Runway 29. She later reported two miles east of the N1 Highway on long final.
While on short final, the student pilot informed ATC that another aircraft was on the runway and asked whether to go around or continue. ATC responded, “You are too far from the traffic, continue with the approach,” which she acknowledged. The approach continued. Approximately one minute and 32 seconds later, she advised the tower of a runway excursion. ATC activated the crash alarm and Aerodrome Rescue and Fire‑fighting personnel responded.
The student pilot held a Student Pilot Licence issued on 24 February 2020 and had accumulated 58.2 flight hours, with 38.5 hours in the previous 90 days.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft, a Piper PA-28-180 (serial number 28-2891), was manufactured in 1965. At the time of the incident, it had 9 538.0 airframe hours. The last maintenance inspection before the flight was performed on 3 August 2020; the aircraft had flown 38.1 hours since that inspection.
Meteorological Information
Weather reported at FAWB at 0800Z: wind 060° at 5 kt, visibility 10 km or more, temperature 19°C, dew point 6°C, QNH 1020 hPa, no cloud. When ATC cleared the student pilot to land, the wind was light and variable.
Incident Sequence
The student pilot became fixated on the aircraft that was on the runway and cleared for take‑off while she was on final approach. This resulted in an unstable approach. Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced. The bounce led to the collapse of the nose landing gear. The aircraft came to rest on the right edge of Runway 29. Photographs show propeller strike markings on the runway and both propeller blade tips bent backwards following contact with the runway surface.
Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage.