Cessna 172C Accident at Mafikeng Aerodrome (ZS-CUB)

Accident Overview and Flight History On 13 December 2013, a Cessna 172C with registration ZS-CUB was involved in an accident at Mafikeng Aerodrome (FAMM) in South Africa. The aircraft was operated by Afrika Union Aviation Academy and owned by Praetor Trust. The flight was a solo training exercise conducted under the supervision of a flight instructor, following a 2.5-hour flight to the general flying area. The pilot, a 18-year-old Motswana holding a valid private pilot's licence, had 70.6 total flight hours, all on the Cessna 172 type. ## Sequence of Events The pilot received landing clearance for Runway 04 from air traffic control. Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced, and the pilot struggled to maintain directional control due to high speed. With limited runway remaining, the pilot initiated a go-around. After rotation, the aircraft failed to achieve a level climb attitude, rolled to the left, and struck a tree beside the runway. A post-impact fire broke out in the engine area after the left fuel tank ruptured. ## Damage and Rescue The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the nose oleo, propeller, tailplane, right wing, left engine cowling, undercarriage, and left wing. Aerodrome rescue and firefighting personnel extinguished the fire shortly after arrival. The pilot was safely evacuated and sustained no injuries. The accident was deemed survivable due to the low kinetic energy of the impact. ## Probable Cause The investigation identified the probable cause as a loss of directional control during landing, with poor technique cited as a contributing factor.