History of Flight
On 4 March 2007, at approximately 0625Z, a student pilot departed from Runway 35 at Grand Central Aerodrome (FAGC) on a solo training flight. The aircraft, a Cessna 172 registered ZS-NET, was bound for the General Flying Area to practice precautionary and forced landing exercises.
During the take-off roll, at a speed of 65 miles per hour, the pilot rotated the aircraft. As rotation occurred, a gust of wind pushed the aircraft to the left, directing it toward a hangar, fuel bay, and tower. The pilot stated that he realized he would not be able to climb away without colliding with the hangar. He therefore turned the aircraft to the right to avoid the hangar. The turn resulted in a loss of lift, and the aircraft collided with the ground to the left of Runway 35. Initial contact was made by the right horizontal stabilizer, followed by the main wheels.
After the ground impact, the aircraft bounced and struck a parked Cessna 172 (ZS-DAC). The pilot reported that the bounce and collision threw his body forward, causing him to inadvertently push the power lever to full power. The impact with ZS-DAC pushed the aircraft further to the right, away from the hangar, but it then collided with a parked Robinson R44 helicopter (ZS-PSZ). Following the collision with the helicopter, the pilot applied brakes and shut down the engine.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained no injuries. The accident aircraft was destroyed; the left wing spar was broken, and substantial damage occurred to the propeller, windshield, left door, right horizontal stabilizer, wheel fairings, and left wheel strut. The two parked aircraft (ZS-DAC and ZS-PSZ) sustained extensive damage. ZS-DAC suffered damage to its propeller, engine, engine mounts, left wing, windshield, and nose wheel. ZS-PSZ sustained damage to its tail boom, vertical stabilizer, and fuselage.
Pilot Information
The pilot was a 31-year-old South African male holding a valid student pilot license with a type endorsement. His total flying experience was 43.3 hours, all on the accident aircraft type. His medical certificate was valid until 31 August 2008, with a restriction for corrective lenses.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Cessna 172K (serial number 172-57260) manufactured in 1969. It was powered by a Lycoming O-320-E2D engine and equipped with a McCauley propeller. The total airframe time at the time of the accident was 5,338 hours. The last maintenance inspection was performed on 21 July 2006 at 4,815 hours. The aircraft had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness issued 26 July 2003 and a Certificate of Registration issued 7 November 2005 to Babcock CFA.
Meteorological Information
Surface wind was from 030° to 060° at 8–12 knots. Visibility was greater than 10 km, and the sky was clear. Temperature and dew point were not recorded.
Wreckage and Impact Sequence
The aircraft departed the threshold of Runway 35, rotated at 65 knots, then experienced an uncommanded left turn before colliding with the ground between the runway and taxiway. The airplane then struck the parked Cessna and subsequently the helicopter before coming to rest.
Additional Information
No pre- or post-impact fire occurred. The aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder, nor was it required. The pilot wore a safety harness that did not fail.