Accident Overview
On 22 September 2001, at 1313 Z, a Piper PA-28-140, registration ZS-MLF, operated by Pretoria Flying School and owned by Norton P.J., was involved in a runway excursion at Wonderboom Airport (FAWB). The pilot, a 30-year-old student with 37.8 total flight hours (all on type) and a valid license, was the sole occupant. No injuries were sustained and no fatalities occurred.
Sequence of Events
According to the report, the student pilot had completed a navigation flight from Wonderboom to Thabazimbi to Nylstroom and back to Wonderboom, and was conducting circuit practice. After completing his second landing on Runway 06, the aircraft veered off the left-hand side of the runway as the nose wheel contacted the runway. The nose gear separated from the aircraft and the propeller struck the ground.
Investigation Findings
Inspection of the runway revealed three landing gear marks, with the nose wheel mark offset to the left. Examination of the nose gear steering rods showed no failures. Both main gear wheels rotated freely. The aircraft was not equipped with toe-brakes, and the left- and right-hand main gear marks were of equal intensity, indicating differential braking was not a factor.
Probable Cause
Due to the fact that no pre-existing mechanical failure or defect was found, it is believed that the aircraft was landed with the nose wheel off-center to the left and possibly not centralized. This caused the aircraft to veer off the left-hand side of the runway.