Maule M-7-235B Accident at Parys Aerodrome (ZS-SVK)

Flight Details and Accident Sequence On 1 May 2014, a Maule M-7-235B aircraft, registration ZS-SVK, departed Rand Aerodrome (FAGM) in Gauteng for Parys Aerodrome (FAPY) in the Free State on a private visual flight rules (VFR) flight. The aircraft, owned and operated by Christiaan David Erasmus, took off at 14:30Z and arrived at Parys Aerodrome approximately 30 minutes later. The pilot, a 54-year-old South African holding a valid private pilot licence with 306 total flying hours and 25.3 hours on type, was accompanied by one passenger. Upon arrival, the pilot circled the airport at 1,000 feet above ground level to assess wind conditions. Observing a limp windsock, the pilot concluded the wind was calm and initiated a final approach for Runway 24. During the flare for landing, the pilot experienced a sudden, strong crosswind gust from the right. This gust lifted the right wing, causing the left wing to drop and contact the runway. The left main landing gear strut bent, and the propeller struck the runway surface, resulting in a ground loop. The aircraft came to rest on the right-hand side of Runway 24 at GPS coordinates S26°53’22” E027°30’12”, at an elevation of 4,740 feet above mean sea level.