Piper PA28-150 Accident at Brakpan Aerodrome (ZS-MII)

Accident Overview and Flight History On 28 August 2010, a student pilot departed from Brakpan Aerodrome (FABB) in Gauteng Province, South Africa, for a cross-country training flight. The aircraft, a Piper PA28-150 with registration ZS-MII, was operated by Airborne Aviation CC. After approximately 1.6 hours of flight, the pilot attempted to land back at Brakpan Aerodrome on Runway 36. The flight had been uneventful until the landing phase, when the aircraft encountered gusting winds from 310° at 8–11 knots. ## Sequence of Events and Damage During the landing, the student pilot attempted to counteract the crosswind gust but overcorrected, causing the aircraft to veer to the left side of the runway. The pilot then pushed the nose down to correct the situation, which resulted in the collapse of the nose landing gear. The aircraft subsequently veered off the left side of Runway 36 onto the adjacent field. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the nose landing gear, the right-hand wing tip, and the propeller, which struck the ground. The student pilot was not injured and evacuated the aircraft unassisted. ## Aircraft and Personnel Details The aircraft was a 1964 Piper PA28-150, serial number 28-2041, with 4,023.66 total airframe hours at the time of the accident. It was powered by a Lycoming O-320E2A engine and equipped with a Sensenich M74DM5.0.58 propeller. The student pilot, a 24-year-old South African male, held a valid student pilot licence and had 42.5 total flying hours, all on type. The aircraft was maintained in accordance with Civil Aviation Regulations, and no mechanical defects were recorded prior to the flight. ## Meteorological and Aerodrome Conditions At the time of the accident, the weather at Brakpan Aerodrome was clear with a temperature of 24°C and a dew point of 4°C. The wind was from 310° at 8–11 knots, and visibility was good. The aerodrome is located at coordinates S26°14.17 E028°18.21 with an elevation of 5,300 feet. Runway 36, used for the landing, is 1,440 meters long and 15 meters wide with an asphalt surface. No approach facilities were available. ## Investigation Findings and Probable Cause The investigation determined that the accident was caused by the loss of directional control due to a wind gust. A contributory factor was the student pilot's undercorrection while counteracting the gusting wind. The aircraft was found to be serviceable prior to the accident, with no recorded malfunctions or defects. The training school and the aircraft maintenance organization both held valid approvals at the time of the accident. No safety recommendations were issued as a result of the investigation.