History of Flight
On 7 September 2015, a Cessna 172 N, registration ZS-NTP, operated by Mach 1 Aviation Academy, was returning to Rand Airport (FAGM) after an hour-building navigational flight that had departed around 1900Z. The flight was conducted under visual meteorological conditions at night with good weather. The pilot, holding a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) with 84.1 total flying hours and 15.3 hours on type, was accompanied by one passenger.
Accident Sequence
During landing on runway 29 at approximately 2145Z, the pilot reported that after touchdown, a vibration was felt from the nose wheel. The aircraft began veering left. Despite application of right rudder, directional control could not be regained. The aircraft exited the runway onto the grass area adjacent to the runway. The nose wheel then became stuck in a hole, causing the aircraft to nose over and come to rest inverted.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained substantial damage limited to the wings, undercarriage, spinner, vertical stabiliser, and propeller. Neither the pilot nor the passenger reported any injuries, and both disembarked without assistance.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the aircraft had been landed hard on all three wheels, resulting in a loss of directional control and subsequent nose-over after departing the runway.