Overview
On Sunday, 13 June 2021, at 1348Z, a Jabiru J170 light sport aircraft (registration ZU-TGH) conducting a private flight experienced a runway excursion upon landing at Inungi farm airstrip in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal Province. The flight, which departed from and intended to return to the same airstrip, was operated under Visual Meteorological Conditions by day. The pilot, a 64-year-old male holding a valid National Pilot Licence with 147.1 total flying hours and 38.9 hours on the aircraft type, was accompanied by one passenger. No injuries were reported.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft, a Jabiru J170 model, sustained substantial damage during the incident. The aircraft had accumulated 38.9 total airframe hours. It was fueled with 85 litres of Avgas LL100. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the steering or brake systems that would have prevented normal rudder pedal operation.
Incident Description
The pilot conducted a pre-flight inspection with no anomalies. Take-off from the grass-covered Runway 34 (450 metres in length) was uneventful. After approximately one hour of flight, the pilot performed a touch-and-go landing on Runway 34. During the subsequent circuit, the aircraft landed and, while rolling at 45 knots ground speed, veered to the left of the runway. The pilot applied right rudder to correct the deviation but was unsuccessful. The aircraft exited the runway, and the nose gear wheel ran over a ditch. The nose gear strut broke due to overload, and the propeller blades struck the ground. The aircraft skidded for about eight metres before coming to a halt. The pilot then switched off the master switch before both occupants disembarked.
Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the nose gear strut and propeller blades. No damage to other components was reported.
Cause
The incident was attributed to the pilot losing directional control of the aircraft during the landing roll, resulting in the aircraft veering off to the left of Runway 34.