Accident
On 26 October 2010 at approximately 1530Z, a Piper PA-28-180 (registration ZS-KIN) and a Jabiru SK (registration ZU-BXA) were engaged in circuit training at Wonderboom Aerodrome (FAWB) in Gauteng province. Runway 29 was in use with right-hand circuits. The Jabiru was flown by an instructor pilot and a private pilot on a revalidation check-flight. The Piper was flown solo by a student pilot who had previously completed three circuits with an instructor and was assessed as capable of flying solo. After the instructor disembarked, the student pilot took off and re-entered the circuit, which then contained seven aircraft.
ZU-BXA was cleared for a touch-and-go landing on Runway 29. ZS-KIN, on base leg for a touch-and-go, was cleared as number two behind ZU-BXA after the student pilot confirmed he had the Jabiru in sight. Shortly after ZU-BXA became airborne following its touch-and-go, the two aircraft collided in midair approximately 30 feet above the runway. Both pilots lost control, and the aircraft impacted the runway.
Injuries
The flight instructor on board ZU-BXA sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized for several weeks. The private pilot under instruction in ZU-BXA and the student pilot in ZS-KIN sustained minor injuries and were discharged later that day.
Damage
Both aircraft sustained substantial damage from the midair collision and subsequent impact with the ground. One runway light (light A15) was also damaged.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined the probable cause as a midair collision between two aircraft overhead runway 29. Contributing factors included the student pilot's failure to execute an immediate go-around as instructed by ATC, delayed radio response, insufficiently assertive ATC instruction, high ATC workload, the student pilot's lack of situational awareness, and the decision to send the student solo during a busy traffic period.