What happened
On 10 March 2000, a Bush Baby aircraft, registered ZU-BRI, was conducting circuit and landing training maneuvers at Secunda Airport. While operating in cross-wind conditions, the pilot was performing landing procedures when the aircraft drifted from its intended path. The aircraft subsequently collided with a stack of grass bales located approximately 22 meters from the runway centerline. The impact caused the right-hand undercarriage of the aircraft to collapse.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the landing attempt. The investigation focused on the flight conditions at the time of the incident and the aircraft's behavior during the circuit pattern. It was established that the flight was a training operation and that the pilot was experienced with a commercial license, though they had relatively limited experience on this specific aircraft type, with only 6.8 hours logged. The weather conditions were reported as CAVOK (ceiling and visibility OK).
Findings
- The primary factor in the accident was that the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft during the landing phase.
- The presence of cross-winds contributed to the difficulty in maintaining the aircraft's position on the runway.
- The collision with the grass bale was the direct cause of the structural failure of the right-hand landing gear.