Accident Details
On 17 July 2007 at 1330Z, a Cessna T210L (registration ZS-MAK) was involved in an accident during landing at a private aerodrome at La Phumba Lodge in the Limpopo Province. The aircraft had departed from Wonderboom Aerodrome (FAWB) on a private flight with a pilot and one passenger. The pilot performed the unmanned aerodrome procedure by joining overhead to inspect the runway and assess the wind. Runway 18 was chosen for landing with full flaps at an indicated airspeed of 80 knots in calm wind conditions. According to the pilot, directional control was lost during landing due to an uneven runway surface consisting of gravel. The aircraft's left-hand wing struck a tree on the left side of the runway, causing the aircraft to ground loop through 90 degrees and come to a halt next to the runway. Both the pilot and passenger sustained no injuries.
Aircraft Information
The Cessna T210L, registered ZS-MAK, held a valid Certificate of Airworthiness issued on 10 August 2003. The last Mandatory Periodic Inspection (MPI) was certified on 20 February 2007 at a total of 3745.9 airframe hours. Since that inspection, the aircraft had accumulated 63.4 additional hours. The Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO) that certified the last MPI had a valid approval with an expiry date of 13 March 2007. The aircraft sustained damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the propeller.
Pilot Information
The pilot, aged 39, held a valid Private Pilot Licence with a total flying experience of 1731.6 hours, including 97.6 hours on type. He had been involved in a previous accident on 20 December 2001, during which he performed a forced landing following an engine failure in flight.
Runway Information
The private runway at La Phumba Lodge was unlicensed. It measured 1000 meters in length and 30 meters in width. The surface consisted of gravel. Meteorological conditions at the time included no wind, a temperature of 18°C, and visibility CAVOK.
Probable Cause
The pilot was unable to maintain directional control of the aircraft following a landing on an uneven gravel runway (in calm wind conditions) and he veered off the runway to the left and collided with a tree.