What happened
On April 3, 2005, a Cheetah CH 010 microlight, registered as ZU-CVE, was conducting a local private flight near Mabalingwe in the Limpopo Province. The flight was intended to depart from and return to a private airstrip in the same area. During the short final approach phase of the landing, the pilot encountered a sudden downdraft. This atmospheric disturbance caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft. Upon touchdown, the nose landing gear failed, leading to a collapse that caused the propeller to strike the ground. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the landing and the mechanical state of the aircraft. The pilot held a valid microlight pilot license with the appropriate type rating and a current medical certificate. While the aircraft had been maintained according to records, investigators noted that the Authority to Fly was not valid at the time of the incident. The most recent annual inspection had been completed approximately 20.5 flight hours prior to the accident. The investigation found no evidence of mechanical defects or malfunctions within the aircraft that contributed to the event.
Findings
- The primary factor in the accident was a downdraft encountered during the flare.
- The loss of control resulting from the downdraft led directly to the collapse of the nose landing gear upon contact with the runway.
- The aircraft's maintenance history was otherwise in order, though the documentation for the Authority to Fly was expired.