Jabiru J430 Runway Excursion at Highway Airfield (ZU-EGF)

Occurrence Overview On 4 October 2025, a Jabiru J430 aircraft, registration ZU-EGF, was involved in a serious incident at Highway Airfield near Knysna, Western Cape Province, South Africa. The aircraft was operating a private flight from Mossel Bay Aerodrome (FAMO) to Highway Airfield under visual meteorological conditions during the day. ## Flight and Landing Sequence The pilot reported completing a pre-flight inspection with no anomalies noted. The flight departed Mossel Bay Aerodrome at 0630Z and proceeded to Highway Airfield. Upon arrival, the pilot conducted an unmanned joining circuit and elected to land on Runway 31, a 671-metre grass runway, in near-still wind conditions. During the initial approach, the pilot determined the aircraft was too high and initiated a go-around. On the second landing attempt, the pilot misjudged the touchdown point and landed farther down the runway than intended. The remaining runway length was insufficient to bring the aircraft to a stop. ## Runway Excursion and Damage To avoid a perimeter fence beyond the runway end, the pilot turned left and exited the runway. During the excursion, the nose gear broke off and the propeller blades struck the ground. The aircraft came to rest in dense grass to the left of the runway. The aircraft sustained damage to the nose gear, propeller blades, right main gear, and right wing. The two occupants, a pilot and a passenger, were not injured. ## Weather and Contributing Factors Meteorological information from George Airport (FAGG) at 0750Z indicated variable winds at 3 knots, visibility of 10 km, and clear skies. The investigation determined that weather was not a contributory factor. The probable cause was identified as a runway excursion to the left following an unsuccessful short-field landing, with no contributing factors cited.