What happened
On December 17, 2002, a Rockwell Commander 114, registered as ZS-MBI, was performing a private flight from Graaff-Reinet to Cape Town International Airport. While attempting to land on runway 01 at approximately 13:32Z, the aircraft encountered a 12-knot crosswind. During the landing roll, the aircraft drifted to the left side of the runway centerline. In the process, the nose wheel struck a molehill located on the runway surface. The impact caused the nose undercarriage to collapse, resulting in damage to the propeller.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance history and the environmental conditions at the time of the incident. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft had been maintained according to prescribed intervals, with the next maintenance inspection due in July 2003. The aircraft had completed 66 flight hours since its last major inspection. Meteorological data indicated fine weather conditions with a wind from 270 degrees at 12 knots.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the loss of directional control during the landing phase.
- The presence of a crosswind contributed to the aircraft veering left of the runway.
- The physical impact with a molehill on the runway surface directly triggered the structural failure of the nose gear.
- There were no injuries to the two occupants on board.