What happened
On 8 October 2016, a Cessna 210N, registration ZS-KNV, was conducting a private flight from a farm in Marble Hall, Mpumal to Modimolle Airfield (FANY). The pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, performed a low fly-past upon arrival and noted a northeast crosswind of 12 to 15 knots.
While executing a landing on runway 10, the pilot attempted to compensate for the wind by dropping the left wing and touching down on the left main wheel first. After passing the hangars adjacent to the runway, a sudden shift in wind direction caused the aircraft to turn sideways and veer off the left side of the runway. The excursion resulted in the nose gear breaking, the propeller striking the ground, and the right wing making contact with the surface. There were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries reported, though the aircraft sustained significant damage to the engine cowling, propeller, nose gear, and right wing.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the flight history and the pilot's credentials. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid license and medical certificate at the time of the event. Regarding the aircraft, the investigation noted that the Cessna 210N was within its airworthiness period and had undergone its last mandatory periodic inspection approximately 43 hours prior to the accident. The engine and propeller maintenance records were also reviewed as part of the factual assessment of the aircraft's condition.
Findings
The investigation established that the primary cause of the accident was poor landing technique. Specifically, the pilot employed an incorrect method to manage the crosswind, which led to a loss of directional control during the landing roll.