History of Flight
On 11 August 2007, a student pilot operating a Piper PA-22-150 (registration ZU-ANG) conducted a solo training flight under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) during daytime at Petit Aerodrome. The first session began at approximately 08:00Z, consisting of circuits and landing exercises. After one hour, the pilot landed and parked the aircraft for a short break; no operational problems were noted.
At approximately 10:00Z, the pilot started a second session with touch-and-go exercises. After nearly an hour of flying, the pilot landed on Runway 03. During touchdown, the pilot sensed the aircraft turning toward the right side of the runway. Despite applying left brake, the aircraft continued onto uneven ground adjacent to the runway and entered a ground loop, sustaining extensive damage. The pilot was uninjured.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft, a 1954 Piper PA-22-150 (serial number 22-1972), had accumulated 3,521.25 total airframe hours. Its last annual inspection was on 16 June 2007 at 3,508.45 hours. The engine was a Lycoming O-320 with 268 hours since new. The propeller was a Sensenich M74 OM-O-60. The aircraft was operated under a Private Operation Authority to Fly and was categorised as Non-Type Certificated (Veteran).
The pilot, a 35-year-old South African male, held a Student Pilot’s Licence issued on 5 August 2007, endorsed for a Piper PA-20 Pacer. He had 150 total flying hours, including 72.15 hours on the accident aircraft type and 19 hours in the previous 90 days. The pilot had no prior accidents and held no ratings.
Accident Details and Meteorological Conditions
The accident occurred at Petit Aerodrome (unlicensed), elevation 5,450 feet, with a single grass runway 03/21 measuring 1,300 m by 30 m. The weather reported by the pilot was: wind northwesterly at 8 knots, visibility good, temperature 18°C. No communication or navigation facilities were available at the aerodrome.
During the landing roll on Runway 03, the pilot experienced a loss of directional control. The aircraft veered off the runway to the right onto uneven terrain and ground-looped, causing damage to the wings and fuselage. The wingtips contacted the ground during the ground loop. No pre- or post-impact fire occurred.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the pilot encountered a loss of directional control after landing, leading to the ground loop. The ground loop—a rapid horizontal rotation of the aircraft while on the ground—occurred when the aircraft departed the paved surface. The pilot’s attempt to correct with left brake was ineffective. No mechanical or maintenance issues were identified; the aircraft had no navigation or communication problems. The pilot evacuated the aircraft without assistance.
The probable cause, as stated in the official report, was a loss of directional control during landing, which caused the aircraft to ground loop.