What happened
On March 5, 1999, at approximately 09:00, a Bush Baby aircraft, registration ZU-BIF, was conducting a flight from Gamtoos to Swellendam. The flight itinerary included a planned refueling stop at George International Airport.
During the approach to Runway 29, the pilot executed a landing that was characterized by excessive force. This hard landing resulted in structural damage to the left-hand undercarriage. Following the impact, the pilot was unable to maintain directional control, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway surface.
At the time of the incident, meteorological conditions were favorable, featuring clear weather and a light westerly wind of 8 knots.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the landing phase at George International Airport. The inquiry examined the impact of the landing force on the aircraft's landing gear and the subsequent loss of steering capability. The investigation confirmed that there were no fatalities or injuries to the three occupants on board.