What happened
On 28 February 2007, a Cessna 210 L, registration ZS-ZEB, was performing a private flight from Hoedspruit Aerodrome to Potgietersrus Aerodrome. During the landing sequence on runway 36, a warthog suddenly ran across the runway from the right side toward the left.
While the pilot maintained enough airspeed to lift the nose gear, the left main landing gear made direct contact with the animal. The impact caused the left main gear to collapse. Following the strike, the pilot managed to maintain a straight course for roughly 100 metres before shutting down the engine. As the aircraft continued to move, it drifted toward the left side of the runway, causing the left elevator to strike the ground. The aircraft eventually came to a stop approximately 50 to 60 metres left of the runway centerline. The pilot escaped the incident without any injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance history and the circumstances of the runway incursion. The records indicated that the most recent Mandatory Periodical Inspection (MPI) had been completed on 21 September 2006. At the time of the accident, the aircraft had flown 39.0 hours since that inspection. The investigation also reviewed the meteorological conditions, which were reported as CAVOK with light winds and a temperature of 28°C.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the impact with a warthog on the runway.
- The collision resulted in the immediate collapse of the left main landing gear.
- The loss of directional control and subsequent ground contact by the elevator were secondary effects of the gear failure.