Overview
On 13 February 2026, a Pipper PA-28-140 Cherokee, registration ZS-EOZ, was involved in a serious incident during a circuit training flight at Wonderboom Airport (FAWB) in Gauteng Province, South Africa. The aircraft was operated under Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations. The flight instructor and student pilot on board were not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the nose landing gear and propeller.
Flight Details
The flight instructor and student pilot conducted a pre-flight inspection and reported no defects. The aircraft had 32 US gallons of Avgas 100LL. The student pilot, acting as pilot flying, taxied to Runway 24 and was cleared for take-off. The aircraft climbed to circuit altitude at 65 mph after rotation. Three touch-and-go landings were completed uneventfully.
Incident Description
During the approach for the fourth touch-and-go landing, the student pilot selected third stage flaps and maintained approximately 85 mph. The aircraft passed the runway threshold at about 20 feet above ground level, floated abeam the runway, and touched down deep with the nose gear first. The lower portion of the nose gear, including the fork, broke off, and the propeller blades struck the runway surface. The aircraft skidded on the remaining runway using the upper nose gear strut and came to a stop on the threshold of Runway 06.
Findings
Both pilots held valid licences and medical certificates. The flight instructor held a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) with a Class 1 medical, and the student pilot held a Student Pilot Licence (SPL) with a Class 2 medical. The aircraft had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and had undergone its last mandatory periodic inspection on 6 February 2026, with 12.5 hours accrued since. The weather was not a contributing factor.
Probable Cause
The aircraft was unstable on final approach for Runway 24, and it touched down with the nose wheel first; consequently, the lower portion of the nose gear, including the fork, broke off and the propeller struck the runway surface. A contributing factor was poor landing technique. No safety actions or recommendations were made.