What happened
On 16 August 2021, a student pilot was conducting a training flight in a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, registration ZS-EVJ, departing from Port Alfred Aerodrome. The flight plan involved performing a touch-and-go landing at East London Airport (FAEL). The weather conditions were reported as clear with light turbulence and winds of approximately 090/20 knots.
After a smooth touchdown on Runway 11, the pilot applied full throttle to execute the touch-and-go maneuver. During the subsequent take-off roll, the pilot experienced a zig-zag motion and an imbalance in the main landing gear. In response, the pilot attempted to reject the take-off by closing the throttle and applying maximum braking. However, the aircraft could not be brought to a stop within the remaining runway surface. The aircraft veered left, exited the runway, and came to rest on the grass in a nose-down position. The impact caused the nose gear oleo to bend and the propeller blades to strike the ground. There were no injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the aircraft's mechanical condition and the pilot's credentials. An inspection by a maintenance engineer confirmed that the main landing gear, including wheel assemblies, bearings, and tires, were all maintained and inflated according to the manufacturer's manual. The hydraulic systems, including brake lines, pads, and calipers, showed no signs of leaks or malfunctions. Furthermore, the rudder and toe-brakes were found to be functioning correctly.
Technical records indicated that ZS-EVJ was properly maintained and had no deferred maintenance items. The investigation also confirmed that the student pilot was correctly licensed and fit for the flight, and air traffic control reported no unusual behavior during communications prior to the incident.