What happened
On the morning of 10 August 2025, a serious incident occurred at Malelane Aerodrome (FAMN) involving three aircraft. Two gyrocopters, registered ZU-RTM and ZU-RKY, were departing from Runway 27, heading toward Kitty Hawk Aerodrome. During the takeoff roll, the pilot of ZU-RTM observed a Pilatus PC12/47, registration ZS-APS, on short final approach for Runway 09. Because the approaching aircraft's path conflicted with the departing gyrocopters, the pilot of ZU-RTM alerted the second gyrocopter pilot to perform evasive maneuvers. The ZS-APS aircraft continued its low-level approach along the runway heading before eventually transitioning to a left downwind pattern.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the flight paths and communication logs of all involved aircraft. The investigation established that the ZS-AS crew was operating on an instrument flight plan from Wonderboom Aerodrome. While approaching Malelane, the crew was communicating with air traffic control at Kruger Mpumalanga International Aerodrome on frequency 130.35-MHz. The investigation found that the crew had muted the Malelane Special Rules Area (SRA) frequency (129.35-MHz) and did not realize they were not receiving broadcasts from the departing gyrocopters until they were nearly on final approach. The crew noted that because they had not visited the aerodrome recently, they intended to overfly the field to inspect the runway and windsock.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was that the ZS-APS crew failed to follow unmanned aerodrome joining procedures and did not broadcast intentions on the required Malelane SRA frequency.
- The crew was focused on communicating with Kruger Mpumalanga ATC and had muted the local SRA frequency, preventing them from hearing the departing aircraft.
- The crew performed a straight-in approach for Runway 09 rather than following standard joining procedures.
- A reliance on the Pilatus PC12/47's short take-off and landing (STOL) capabilities may have contributed to a deviation from standard airmanship by attempting a straight-in approach regardless of wind conditions.
- The departing gyrocopters were taking off into a westerly wind, which placed them directly in the path of the inbound aircraft.