What happened
On 02 August 2011, a Raptor (Microlite), registration ZU-EDU, was engaged in a training session consisting of touch-and-go maneuvers at Pyramid aerodrome in the Mpumalanga province. The flight, conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), was operated by a certified flight instructor accompanied by a student pilot.
Following a standard pre-flight inspection and engine start, the aircraft departed from runway 12 without incident. The flight proceeded through an initial circuit, which included a successful landing and subsequent takeoff. However, during the second circuit, the aircraft's landing phase went wrong. The student pilot, who was acting as the pilot flying, landed at a high speed and deeper than intended on the runway. This caused the aircraft to veer left of the runway centerline onto the grass, where it subsequently flipped over onto its back.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight history, aircraft maintenance, and environmental conditions at the time of the occurrence. It was established that the weather was clear with 10 km visibility and no significant wind, meaning meteorological factors did not contribute to the event.
Technical inspections confirmed that the aircraft was maintained according to the approved schedule, with the most recent annual inspection completed less than two months prior to the accident. The investigation also noted that both occupants were properly secured with safety harnesses and that no fire occurred during or after the impact. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including a broken pylon, bent propeller, and structural damage to the wing and undercarriage.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the incorrect landing technique employed by the student pilot.
- The aircraft deviated from the runway centerline due to a high-speed landing that resulted in the aircraft overshooting the intended touchdown point.
- The flight instructor was unable to recover the aircraft from its lateral deviation before it overturned on the grass.
- There were no injuries to the pilot or the instructor, though the aircraft was heavily damaged.