What happened
On 9 February 2014, a private flight departed from Virginia Aerodrome in KwaZulu-Natal, bound for Grass Roots Airfield in Cato Ridge. During the landing phase at Grass Roots, the pilot lost directional control of the WT9 Dynamic, registration ZU-DUF. The aircraft veered to the left of the grass runway and struck rocks embedded in the turf adjacent to the landing strip.
Despite the impact, the pilot was able to evacuate the aircraft without any injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to its propeller, nose landing gear, and left-hand wing.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the excursion and the airworthiness of the aircraft. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid private pilot licence and a current medical certificate. Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were favorable, with clear visibility and minimal cloud cover.
However, the investigation highlighted significant discrepancies regarding the aircraft's maintenance records. While the owner claimed a recent annual inspection had been performed, they failed to provide the investigator with a valid Authority to Fly (ATF). Official SACAA records indicated that the last recorded ATF had expired in November 2009, suggesting the aircraft was not airworthy at the time of the incident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of directional control during the landing roll.
- The aircraft struck rocks located in the grass area beside the runway.
- There was insufficient evidence to confirm that the aircraft had been maintained according to manufacturer and regulatory requirements.
- The pilot's failure to provide requested documentation regarding the aircraft's authority to fly hindered the verification of its airworthiness.
Safety action
- It is recommended that the SACAA enforcement division address the owner's failure to supply requested information to the investigator.