Casualties unknown

2005-02-19: Cirrus SR 22 (ZS-OZD) — Runway 05 at Virginia Aerodrome, ZA

Runway 05 at Virginia Aerodrome, ZA

On February 19, 2005, a Cirrus SR 22 (registration ZS-OZD) was involved in an aviation accident near Runway 05 at Virginia Aerodrome, ZA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot misjudged the distance to the runway, landed on the nose wheel first and lost directional control. This summary draws on records from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Accident and Incident Investigations Division; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Accident and Incident Investigations DivisionPrimary reportUpdated 1785104676Data APIEditorial standards

On 19 February 2005, a Cirrus SR22 (ZS-OZD) operated privately misjudged the final approach at Virginia Aerodrome, landing nose wheel first. The aircraft bounced, lost directional control, veered left off runway, and collided with bushes. The pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries; no fatalities.

Accident Details

On 19 February 2005, at approximately 0740Z, a Cirrus SR22 aircraft (registration ZS-OZD) departed from Virginia Aerodrome (FAVG) for a private flight to the General Flying Area. The pilot, aged 54, held a valid private pilot license with 560 total flying hours, including 20 hours on the aircraft type. The flight carried two passengers.

Sequence of Events

According to the pilot's account, during the return leg, a normal circuit was flown at 800 feet above ground level. On final approach, the pilot misjudged the distance to the runway, resulting in a touchdown approximately one-third after the runway threshold on the nose wheel first. The aircraft bounced and subsequently lost directional control. The aircraft veered to the left, departed the runway, and collided with bushes approximately 20 meters to the left of the runway.

Damage and Injuries

The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the left wing, propeller, cabin area, and tail section. The pilot and both passengers suffered minor injuries.

Maintenance and Certification

The last Mandatory Periodic Inspection (MPI) was certified on 08 February 2005 at a total of 273.1 airframe hours. Since that inspection, the aircraft had flown 11.9 hours. The Certificate of Airworthiness (No: 604/OZD) was issued on 21 July 2004 and remained valid at the time of the accident. No on-site investigation was conducted.

Probable cause

The pilot misjudged the distance to the runway, landed on the nose wheel first and lost directional control.