What happened
On the morning of 7 January 2002, a Jabiru SP, registration ZU-CNG, was engaged in solo circuit and landing practice at Eshowe. During the fourth landing attempt of the session, the aircraft experienced a significant bounce upon contact with the runway. Following this bounce, the aircraft made contact with the ground on its nose-wheel. The impact caused the nose gear to fail, resulting in the aircraft nosed-over onto its back. The incident resulted in no fatalities and no injuries, though the aircraft sustained damage to its propeller, rudder, vertical stabilizer, and wing strut.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the landing and the pilot's actions. The investigation established that the pilot was distracted by a tractor performing grass-mowing operations adjacent to the runway during the landing sequence. Additionally, a review of aviation records revealed that while the pilot's license was valid at the time of the accident, the pilot's medical certificate had expired on 5 May 2001.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was pilot distraction caused by a tractor mowing grass near the runway.
- This distraction led to an improper landing technique, specifically a bounce upon touchdown.
- The pilot failed to maintain control following the bounce, leading to a nose-wheel touchdown.
- The structural failure of the nose gear was a direct result of the improper touchdown angle and force.