What happened
On 18 February 2023, a Piper PA-28R with registration ZS-MUD was conducting a private flight departing from and returning to Silver Creek Airfield in the North West Province. The flight, operated under Part 91 regulations, involved a pilot and one passenger.
During the approach for landing, the aircraft was traveling at approximately 80 mph when rainfall began, which reduced visibility. Upon touching down on Runway 08, the pilot identified zebras approximately 5/00 meters ahead on the runway. In an attempt to avoid the animals, the pilot applied the brakes. This maneuver caused the aircraft to veer to the left of the runway, eventually coming to a halt in nearby bushy terrain. The incident resulted in minor damage to the right wing of the aircraft, but there were no injuries to the occupants.
The investigation
The SACAA AIID investigation examined the pilot's credentials, the aircraft's maintenance status, and the environmental conditions at the time of the incident. The pilot held a valid Commercial Pilot Licence and a Class 1 medical certificate. The aircraft's maintenance records showed that the Mandatory Periodic Inspection was up to date, and no defects were noted in the flight folio prior to departure.
Investigators also reviewed meteorological data. While the pilot reported poor visibility due to the rain, official weather reports from a nearby aerodrome indicated visibility remained greater than 10km. However, the investigation noted that the presence of rain had created a wet runway surface.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was the application of heavy braking on a wet runway surface, which led to a loss of directional control.
- The presence of zebras on the runway acted as a significant contributing factor.
- Reduced visibility caused by rainfall hindered the pilot's ability to identify the animals earlier.
- A lack of a prior runway inspection was noted as a factor in the occurrence.