What happened
On February 28, 2000, a Cessna 421 B, registered as ZS-NUS, was operating a domestic charter flight from Lanseria Airport to Garonga, Mpumalanga. After a successful landing at the destination, the pilot, accompanied by two passengers, completed the disembarkation process. Following the drop-off, the pilot conducted a visual inspection of the runway area, which appeared suitable for subsequent operations.
While attempting to maneuver the aircraft for takeoff, the pilot began a turn. During this maneuver, the nose wheel of the aircraft moved into an area of soft, muddy ground that had been hidden from view by long grass. The impact with the unstable surface caused the nose wheel to break away from the aircraft, subsequently leading to the propellers making contact with the ground.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the conditions of the airfield at the time of the incident. While meteorological conditions were reported as fine with good visibility and a temperature of +28°C, the physical state of the ground during the turn-around maneuver was critical. The inquiry established that the presence of long grass had obscured the true nature of the terrain beneath the aircraft's path.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was that the nose wheel entered soft, muddy ground that was not visible due to overgrown vegetation.
- The structural failure of the nose wheel assembly was a direct result of the aircraft encountering this unverified surface.
- The pilot expressed an intention to avoid utilizing gravel or grass strips for takeoff and landing in the future unless a concrete turnaround base is provided at the threshold.