What happened
On 08 November 2015, a student pilot was conducting solo training circuits at Grand Central Airport (FAGC) in Gauteng Province. After completing several successful circuits under the supervision of an instructor, the pilot attempted a landing on Runway 35 that resulted in a bounce. In response, the pilot initiated a go-around maneuver.
During this aborted landing, the aircraft entered a low-energy state. While attempting to climb, the pilot retracted the first stage of flaps, but the Cessna 1t2M failed to gain sufficient airspeed or altitude. Air Traffic Control (ATC) observed the aircraft struggling to maintain height and contacted the pilot. Following advice from the flight instructor via ATC, the pilot checked the carburettor heat settings, an action that caused the aircraft to lose even more altitude.
As the aircraft moved out of visual range, ATC instructed the pilot to attempt a landing on Runway 17. While executing a sharp right-hand turn to reposition for this approach, the aircraft's right wing struck treetops in a residential area near the aerodrome. The aircraft subsequently cartwheeled and crashed into another tree adjacent to a house, where a violent fire erupted. Local residents assisted the pilot, who sustained serious injuries, before the fire intensified.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the flight sequence, the aircraft's mechanical state, and the pilot's actions. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft, registration ZS-LKJ, was maintained according to all required regulations and was in a compliant state prior to the flight.
Investigators reviewed the communication between the student pilot, the instructor, and ATC. The findings established that the aircraft was in a low-energy state following the bounced landing and that the subsequent attempt to climb was hampered by improper configuration management. The investigation also noted that the application of carburettor heat contributed to the loss of altitude during a critical phase of flight.