What happened
On 2 October 2005, a PIPER PA3RO-112, registration ZS-KKU, was conducting a private VFR flight from Cape Town International Airport to a private runway near Malmesbury. The flight included the pilot and one passenger. Upon arriving over Malmesbury Aerodrome, the pilot executed standard overhead joining maneuvers. During the final approach to runway 36, the pilot configured the aircraft with full flaps at an indicated airspeed of roughly 60 knots.
The aircraft touched down approximately halfway down the runway. Realizing the remaining runway length was insufficient, the pilot applied heavy braking to stop the aircraft. This action led to a loss of directional control, causing the aircraft to exit the runway to the left and roll onto the grass. During the excursion, the aircraft struck a trench in the sand, which resulted in the separation of the right-hand main wheel and minor damage to the right flap. Both occupants escaped without injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the landing and the environmental conditions at the time. Meteorological data indicated favorable weather with a temperature of 20°C and a light surface wind from 230 degrees at 5-8 knots. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's maintenance history, noting that the last Mandatory Periodic Inspection (MPI) had been completed on 2 September 2005, with only 26 flight hours accumulated since that inspection.
Findings
- The pilot misidentified the wind direction by misreading the windsock, leading to the selection of runway 36, which actually had a downwind component exceeding 5 knots.
- The aircraft touched down too far down the runway due to this tailwind component.
- The pilot's attempt to stop the aircraft through excessive braking caused asymmetrical braking forces, resulting in the loss of directional control.