What happened
On 23 January 2001, a Piper PA28-180, registration ZS-MTU, was engaged in a training flight departing from and returning to Port Alfred. During the landing phase, the student pilot successfully completed the touchdown, though the aircraft initially drifted left of the runway centerline. Upon noticing the deviation, the instructor took control of the aircraft to steer it back toward the center.
As the aircraft continued its ground roll, the instructor noted a wobbly sensation. To maintain momentum, the decision was made to continue rolling without applying the brakes. After traveling approximately 120 to 150 meters along the runway, the aircraft became increasingly difficult to manage. The crew felt a structural failure occur on the right side of the aircraft, at which point the plane veered sharply to the right as the wheel collapsed toward the left.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the landing and the mechanical state of the aircraft. The investigation focused on the sequence of events following the student's landing and the physical sensations reported by the instructor. The inquiry analyzed the movement of the aircraft on Runway 10 and the subsequent loss of directional control.
Findings
- The investigation established that the right-hand main landing gear axle failed.
- The failure was attributed to a combination of metal fatigue and overload.