What happened
On 10 February 2010, a student pilot was conducting a solo training flight operating from Vereeniging Aerodrome. After departing the airfield, the flight proceeded to the General Flying Area before returning to the aerodrome for landing.
Upon returning, the pilot elected to use Runway 03 to align with the prevailing winds. While performing a standard approach, the Cessna 172M, registration ZS-PSW, experienced a difficult touchdown. The aircraft bounced twice during the landing sequence and subsequently struck the runway with significant force on its nose wheel. The impact caused the nose landing gear to collapse, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. The pilot sustained no injuries and was able to evacuate the cabin unassisted.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID established that the pilot held a valid student private pilot license and a current medical certificate. The aircraft was found to be in a serviceable condition, with the most recent mandatory periodic inspection completed on 2 February 2010.
Meteorological data indicated favorable flying conditions, with CAVOK visibility and light winds. The investigation also confirmed that the flight training organization and the maintenance provider were both properly authorized and compliant with regulatory requirements. No mechanical defects or malfunctions were identified as contributing factors to the event.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to recover from an initial bounce, which led to a porpoising motion.
- In an attempt to stabilize the aircraft following the bounces, the pilot landed heavily on the nose gear, triggering the structural collapse.
- Weather conditions were clear and did not contribute to the incident.