History of Flight
On 8 November 2015, a student pilot conducted solo consolidation circuits at Grand Central Airport (FAGC) in Gauteng Province, South Africa. The student had earlier completed three uneventful circuits with an instructor, who then disembarked. During the second solo circuit, the student initiated a go-around after a bounced landing with the aircraft in a low energy state (slow) with full flaps. He retracted the flaps to the first stage, but the aircraft did not gain speed and crossed the upwind threshold at a very low height.
Air traffic control (ATC) contacted the student, who reported difficulty gaining height. The ATC then contacted the instructor, who advised checking the carburettor heat settings. The student confirmed checking them. The aircraft flew out of ATC's visual sight and reappeared at low height. ATC suggested turning to land on Runway 17. The student made a sharp right turn, during which the aircraft collided with tree tops and crashed into a tree next to a house, then caught fire.
Injuries
The pilot sustained serious injuries. No other persons were injured.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft was destroyed by post-impact fire.
Other Damage
The aircraft collided with tree tops; broken branches damaged the roof of a house. A water supply line and a carport roof were also damaged.
Personnel Information
The student pilot was a 59-year-old male holding a valid student license. He had 90.3 total flying hours, with 69.6 hours on the Cessna 172. He had flown 2 hours in the preceding 90 days. His training was interrupted due to academic commitments.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Cessna 172M (registration ZS-LKJ), serial number 17263791, manufactured in 1974. It was powered by a Lycoming O-320-D2G engine. The total airframe hours at the time of the accident were 18,122.9. The last mandatory periodic inspection was on 29 October 2015, 63.1 hours prior. The aircraft was operated under Part 141 training category.
Probable Cause
The aircraft crashed after collision with some tree tops during a turn to land on runway 17 after it experienced difficulties to gain height and also the pilot opened the carburettor heat and lost more height.