What happened
On August 19, 2000, at approximately 12:45Z, a private flight involving an Atlas Kudu, registration ZS-WWE, was involved in a landing accident at Phalaborwa Aerodrome. The aircraft was performing a local flight, departing from and intending to return to the same aerodrome. During the approach to runway 01, the pilot configured the aircraft with full flaps and maintained an indicated airspeed of 70 knots. Despite favorable weather conditions, including a temperature of 22°C and a light wind from 270 degrees at 4 knots, the aircraft bounced upon touchdown.
This bounce triggered a sequence of structural failures. The right-hand main undercarriage collapsed and subsequently detached from the airframe. As a result of the collapse, the right wing struck the ground, leading the aircraft into a 180-degree ground loop. The impact caused substantial damage to the right-hand flap.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the touchdown and the mechanical response of the landing gear. The investigation focused on the aerodynamic state of the aircraft at the moment of impact, specifically the airspeed and flap configuration, as well as the prevailing meteorological conditions at the time of the incident.