What happened
On 17 October 2002, an Ayres S2R-T34, registration ZS-LEF, was conducting aerial firefighting operations in the Singisi region. During the mission, the pilot returned to Singisi Aerodrome to reload supplies. Upon approaching the runway, the aircraft encountered gusty wind conditions. These atmospheric disturbances led to a heavy touchdown, causing the right-hand undercarriage shock strut to fail and detach from the airframe.
Following the structural failure, the right wing struck the runway surface, forcing the aircraft to veer toward the right side of the strip. The propeller also made contact with the ground during the excursion. The aircraft eventually came to a stop approximately 15 meters away from the runway edge. There were no injuries reported, though the aircraft suffered extensive damage to the engine, propeller, right wing tip, and wing spar.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the landing at Singisi Aerodrome. Investigators reviewed the aircraft's maintenance history, noting that the most recent Maintenance Period Inspection (MPI) had been completed on 17 June 2002, with only 28.2 flight hours logged since that inspection. The operator held a valid Part 135 Operating Certificate at the time of the event. The investigation also considered the meteorological conditions, specifically a westerly wind of 15 knots and a temperature of 32°C, which contributed to the unstable landing environment.