Cessna U206C Accident at Barberton Aerodrome (ZS-OZF)

Accident Overview and Flight History On 15 April 2007, a Cessna U206C with registration ZS-OZF was involved in an accident at Barberton Aerodrome (FABN). The aircraft was operated by Dromadair CC and was on a local private flight. The pilot, a 39-year-old Italian national holding a valid private pilot's licence with a South African validation, was accompanied by one passenger. The flight departed from Barberton Aerodrome and returned approximately 30 minutes later for a full-stop landing on Runway 35. ## Sequence of Events The pilot reported selecting full flaps prior to touchdown and recalled an airspeed of approximately 75 mph. During the round-out, the aircraft assumed a higher-than-normal nose-up attitude. Upon initial touchdown, the aircraft bounced. Following a second bounce, the nose wheel separated from the aircraft. The aircraft subsequently nosed over and came to rest in an inverted attitude on the runway. Both occupants escaped without injury, having been properly restrained by safety harnesses. ## Aircraft and Maintenance Details The aircraft, a 1968 Cessna U206C (serial number U206-01160), had a total airframe time of 7,061.2 hours at the time of the accident. The last Mandatory Periodic Inspection (MPI) was certified on 7 December 2006 at 7,023.6 airframe hours, with 37.6 hours flown since then. The engine was a Continental-10-520FUFB, and the propeller was a McCauley D3A34C4V4C. The aircraft was equipped with standard navigational and communication equipment, which was reported serviceable. ## Damage and Environmental Factors The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, left wing, right-hand main wheel, empennage, and nose wheel. There was no pre- or post-impact fire. Meteorological conditions at the time included calm winds, CAVOK visibility, and a temperature of 14°C. The accident site was located on Runway 35 at Barberton Aerodrome, with GPS coordinates S25°42'52.2'' E030°58'22''. ## Probable Cause The investigation concluded that the pilot had limited experience on the aircraft type and stalled the aircraft during the flare, resulting in a hard landing that caused the aircraft to bounce. This sequence led to the separation of the nose wheel and the aircraft nosing over. The pilot's indicated airspeed of 75 mph was below the 80-90 mph recommended in the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH).