Accident Details
On 3 April 2002, a Piper PA-28-140 aircraft, registration ZS-JZN, was involved in an accident at Mossel Bay aerodrome. The flight was a solo training cross-country exercise under visual meteorological conditions (CAVOK). The pilot, a 22-year-old student with 56.3 total flying hours (3.0 hours on type), departed from FAGR (Graaff-Reinet) with an intended destination of FASX (Swellendam/Hendrik Swellengrebel). The time of the accident was 0730Z.
Sequence of Events
Approximately 10 nautical miles from George, the top latch of the door suddenly opened, causing the door to open. The resulting wind noise made communication difficult. The student pilot decided to land at Mossel Bay aerodrome to close the door. During the approach, the pilot was too fast, leading to a bounced landing. Subsequently, directional control was lost, and the aircraft veered off the runway.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was maintained by a training organization holding a valid Standard Aviation Training Certificate (CAA/0047, issued 3 July 2001, expired 30 June 2002). The last mandatory periodic inspection (MPI) was certified on 27 March 2002 at 10,211.0 flying hours. The aircraft had accumulated an additional 12.0 flying hours since that inspection. Damage was limited to the nose wheel assembly, propeller, engine cowlings, and the engine; no structural damage occurred. The pilot sustained no injuries, and no other persons were aboard.
Pilot Experience
The student pilot had flown 10.8 solo hours prior to the accident, as confirmed by the training organization. The pilot held a valid student pilot license.
Probable Cause
On landing, the student pilot allowed the aircraft to bounce and subsequently lost directional control of the aircraft and veered off the runway.