Incident Overview
On 24 May 2005, a private flight operated by a Piper PA-34-220T with registration ZS-MNJ departed from Kruger Mpumalanga International Aerodrome bound for Grand Central Aerodrome. The aircraft was carrying one pilot and four passengers. At the time of the incident, weather conditions were clear with no cloud cover, winds from 360° at 6 knots, and a temperature of 28°C.
Operational Details
The pilot-in-command held a valid private license and had accumulated 45 total flying hours, all on this specific aircraft type. The last mandatory periodic inspection (MPI) was completed on 19 May 2005 at 4,073.0 airframe hours, meaning the aircraft had flown approximately one hour prior to the accident.
Accident Sequence
Upon arrival at Grand Central Aerodrome, the pilot selected 10 degrees of flap at an indicated airspeed of 100 knots for a landing on Runway 35. The aircraft touched down hard and bounced twice. In response, the pilot applied power to execute a go-around. During this sequence, both engine propeller blades made contact with the runway surface. The pilot subsequently landed the aircraft a second time without further incident.
Investigation Findings
Post-incident inspection revealed damage limited to the propeller blades striking the ground; no other structural damage was found. All five occupants remained uninjured. The investigation concluded that the pilot’s error in judgment during the initial landing attempt caused the bounce, which resulted in the propeller strike.