Fatal Runway Collision at Ermelo Airfield

Casualties unknown • Runway 13 at Ermelo airfield in the Mpumalanga province, ZA

A private flight ended in tragedy when a Mooney M20R struck a pedestrian during its landing roll at Ermelo airfield.

What happened

On 26 March 2012, a Mooney M20R, registration ZS-NUP, was conducting a private flight from Virginia to Ermelo. The pilot executed a successful landing on runway 13 at Ermelo airfield. During the landing roll, the pilot observed two individuals positioned on opposite sides of the runway. As the aircraft approached, the person on the left side of the runway began running across the path of the aircraft.

In an attempt to avoid a direct collision, the pilot swerved the aircraft to the right. During this maneuver, the aircraft's port-side wing and left horizontal stabilizer struck the pedestrian. The impact resulted in one fatality, while the pilot remained uninjured. The aircraft sustained significant damage to the port wing, as well as the horizontal and vertical stabilizers.

The investigation

SACAA AIID investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the runway area and the movement of the individuals involved. The investigation established that the airfield features a specific pedestrian entrance gate, which was implemented because people frequently cut the perimeter fence to cross the runway while collecting firewood from nearby areas.

On the day of the accident, the pedestrians were returning to town with bundles of wood. The investigation found that the aircraft's visibility of the pedestrians was initially obstructed by an upward slope on the runway. The pilot noted that the pedestrians were stationary when first spotted, but the individual on the left began crossing the runway when the aircraft was approximately 50 meters away. The pilot's maneuver to the right was intended to avoid the person crossing while also attempting to avoid the second person who had already reached the other side.

Findings

  • The pilot was properly licensed and qualified for the flight.
  • The Mooney M20R was airworthy and properly maintained.
  • The aircraft collided with a pedestrian who entered the runway path during the landing roll.
  • The runway topography, specifically an upward slope, contributed to the pilot not seeing the pedestrians until they were close.
  • The presence of a pedestrian path used for firewood collection placed individuals in the immediate vicinity of the active runway.

Probable cause

The collision occurred because a pedestrian ran across the runway during the aircraft's landing roll, and the pilot's evasive maneuver resulted in the aircraft striking the individual.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2012-03-26 Mooney - M20R accident near Runway 13 at Ermelo airfield in the Mpumalanga province, ZA?

A private flight ended in tragedy when a Mooney M20R struck a pedestrian during its landing roll at Ermelo airfield.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2012-03-26 involved a Mooney - M20R, registration ZS-NUP, at Runway 13 at Ermelo airfield in the Mpumalanga province, ZA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The collision occurred because a pedestrian ran across the runway during the aircraft's landing roll, and the pilot's evasive maneuver resulted in the aircraft striking the individual.

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