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Casualties unknown

2024-04-16: Beechcraft 1900D (ZS-PKB) — Runway 08 at Venetia Mine Airfield, Limpopo, ZA

Runway 08 at Venetia Mine Airfield, Limpopo, ZA

On April 16, 2024, a Beechcraft 1900D (registration ZS-PKB) was involved in an aviation accident near Runway 08 at Venetia Mine Airfield, Limpopo, ZA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Incorrect approach speed (Vref) for flapless landing configuration resulted in a high sink rate and, thus, the subsequent hard landing on the gravel area, about 3m before the threshold of the Runway 08. This summary draws on records from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Accident and Incident Investigations Division.

Sourcesthe South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Accident and Incident Investigations DivisionPrimary reportUpdated 1785104676Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered ZS-PKB
Aircraft registered ZS-PKB. Photo: Aeroprints.com / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

On 16 April 2024, a Beechcraft 1900D charter flight from Johannesburg to Venetia Mine hard landed short of the runway, causing left main landing gear partial collapse. No injuries, minor damage. Investigation found incorrect approach speed for flapless landing.

History of Flight

On Tuesday morning, 16 April 2024, a Beechcraft 1900D aircraft registered ZS-PKB departed from O.R. Tambo International Airport (FAOR) in Gauteng province on a charter flight to Venetia Mine Airfield (FAVM) in Limpopo province. The flight was conducted under instrument flight rules (IFR) by day and in accordance with Part 135 of the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2011 as amended. On board were two pilots and 17 passengers.

The captain, serving as the pilot flying (PF), reported that the en route portion of the flight was uneventful. Upon arriving at FAVM, the crew performed the before-landing checklist as per the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH). The captain then selected the landing gear down and confirmed that three green lights indicated the gear was down and locked. The aircraft approached at a speed of 120 knots with flaps in the up (0°) position. Shortly after, the aircraft touched down hard on the gravel area, approximately 3 metres before the threshold of Runway 08.

The impact sheared the left main landing gear (MLG) drag brace bolts, causing the gear to pivot forward and partially collapse, lowering the aircraft’s left side. The aircraft continued to roll onto the runway, where the captain maintained directional control and brought it to a stop about 900 metres from the threshold. The aircraft sustained minor damage; none of the occupants were injured.

Aircraft Information

The aircraft was a Beechcraft 1900D, registration ZS-PKB. The investigation revealed that the aircraft’s flaps were unserviceable or inoperative (INOP) prior to departure from FAOR. However, this defect was not documented in any of the aircraft’s technical logs. The flight was conducted with the flaps in the up position.

Probable Cause

The investigation determined that the probable cause of the serious incident was an incorrect approach speed (Vref) for the flapless landing configuration, which resulted in a high sink rate and a subsequent hard landing on the gravel area about 3 metres before the threshold of Runway 08.

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