What happened
On 27 July 2003, a PA-28-140 aircraft, registration ZS-EVJ, was involved in a runway excursion at Port Alfred Airport (FAPA). The aircraft, operated by a training organization, was being flown by a student pilot during a solo training flight. The pilot had just completed a solo cross-country exercise and was returning to the home base.
Upon landing on Runway 10, the pilot applied the brakes, but the aircraft subsequently veered off the right side of the runway. While there were no injuries reported, the aircraft suffered significant structural damage, specifically to the nose gear, engine mount, propeller, and the left wing.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance and operational status. At the time of the incident, the aircraft had accumulated 81,162 airframe hours since its last maintenance inspection, which had been certified on 20 June 2003. The training organization's accreditation was valid at the time of the occurrence. Meteorological conditions at the airfield were reported as CAVOK with calm winds and a temperature of 20°C. No on-site investigation was performed following the event.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was that the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft following the application of brakes during the landing roll.
- The aircraft departed the runway boundaries to the right side of the runway centerline.