What happened
On 07 December 2003, a Windlass Trike microlight, registered ZU-AFI, was conducting a local pleasure flight near Pine Rock Aerodrome, east of Pretoria. The aircraft was operated for private purposes with one pilot and one passenger on board. During the final approach to the aerodrome, the aircraft encountered strong, gusting wind conditions. As the pilot attempted to land, the tail of the microlight lifted, causing the aircraft to strike the runway at a 60-degree nose-down attitude. The impact caused the aircraft to overturn and slide roughly 10 meters across the surface before coming to a halt.
While the impact resulted in no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, the aircraft suffered substantial damage.
The investigation
The investigation reviewed the aircraft's maintenance and operational records. At the time of the incident, the owner held a valid Private Operation Authority to Fly. The aircraft's most recent annual inspection had been completed on 21 October 2003, at which point the airframe had recorded 339.50 flight hours. Since that inspection, the aircraft had flown an additional 10.50 hours. The pilot held a valid microlight license and had accumulated 42 total flying hours, with 68 hours specifically on this type of aircraft.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of aircraft control during the landing phase.
- This loss of control occurred while the aircraft was navigating through significant wind gusts during its final approach.
- The aerodynamic forces from the gusting winds caused the tail to lift, leading to the nose-down collision with the runway.