What happened
On June 5, 2003, a Piper PA2pend-140, registration ZS-FAS, was conducting a private flight from Polokwane International Airport to the Baltimore military airfield. The flight was traveling approximately 67 nautical miles northwest toward its destination.
As the aircraft approached the runway at Baltimore, the pilot encountered a sudden gust of wind just before touchdown. This wind caused the aircraft to veer off the runway centerline. In an attempt to recover, the pilot applied full power to initiate a go-around. While the aircraft began to climb, the pilot could not regain level flight or maintain directional control. Consequently, the aircraft descended, and the left wing struck a tree located to the left of the runway. The impact severed the left wing, causing the aircraft to swing 180 degrees. The rear of the aircraft then collided with bush vegetation, resulting in severe damage to the fuselage and empennage. Both the pilot and the passenger escaped the wreckage without injury.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the loss of control and the mechanical state of the aircraft. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft had been maintained according to prescribed intervals, with the next maintenance inspection not due until March 2004. The pilot had also secured the necessary prior permission from military authorities to land at the Baltimore aerodrome. Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were reported as fine with no significant wind, aside from the specific gust that triggered the event.
Findings
- The primary factor in the accident was the loss of directional control caused by a sudden gust of wind during the landing phase.
- The impact with a tree led to the structural failure of the left wing.
- The aircraft's momentum following the wing impact caused a 180-degree rotation and subsequent contact with vegetation.