What happened
On 21 August 2025, a student pilot was conducting a solo navigational training flight in a Piper Cherokee PA28-140, registration ZS-EFI. The flight originated from Grand Central Airport (FAGC) in Gauteng, following a route that included stops at Potchefstroom and Rustenburg before returning to the departure point.
During the return to Grand Central Airport, the pilot attempted to land on Runway 17. As the aircraft approached the runway, increasing wind speeds led to two unsuccessful landing attempts characterized by high and unstable approaches, prompting the pilot to execute go-arounds. On the third attempt, the aircraft experienced a hard touchdown. The impact caused the nose wheel to collapse and the propeller blades to strike the runway surface. The pilot evacuated the aircraft without injury, though the aircraft sustained minor damage to the nose gear and propeller.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the landing sequence and the pilot's maneuvers. The investigation confirmed that the student pilot was operating under Part 141 training provisions and held a valid Student Pilot Licence. The aircraft's maintenance records, including the most recent 100-hour inspection, were found to be in order, and the aircraft held a valid Certificate of Airworthiness.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was a hard landing resulting from an improper flare, where the pilot flared the aircraft too high.
- The collapse of the nose gear and the subsequent propeller strike were direct results of this high-impact touchdown.
- Poor landing technique contributed to the instability of the final approach.