History of Flight
On Saturday 18 March 2017, at 1245Z, a student pilot was the sole occupant of a Cessna 172N, registration ZS-JTC, on a solo navigation flight from Vereeniging (FAVV) aerodrome. Before departure, the student ordered full fuel (approximately 54 US gallons) and completed the pre-flight inspection. The flight plan, filed with Johannesburg information, included stops at Potchefstroom (FAPS) and Parys (FAPY) before returning to FAVV. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed. The student performed an uneventful takeoff from FAVV and flew at FL065 to FAPS. At FAPS, he joined the downwind leg for runway 21, with approach speed stable at 65 knots and flaps set to 20°. The first touch-and-go landing was described as good, with full power applied and flaps retracted to 0° after touchdown. About fourteen minutes later, the student returned for a second touch-and-go. During this landing, the aircraft bounced severely. The student attempted an immediate go-around, adding full power with flaps still at 0°. The aircraft then stalled and impacted the ground heavily approximately 177 meters to the right of the runway 21 threshold. A witness observed the aircraft low (about 80 feet AGL) drifting right with a low right wing before impacting nose-down with the left wing low. Emergency services responded, and the student was rescued and transported to a medical facility. The student sustained serious head injuries. A second witness, another pilot inbound, reported radio communication difficulties with the student, who sounded uncertain and was initially on the wrong downwind. The aircraft was substantially damaged.
Injuries to Persons
The student pilot sustained serious injuries. No other persons were on board or injured.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft, a Cessna 172N, was substantially damaged.
Personnel Information
The student pilot was a 20-year-old Egyptian national holding a valid South African student pilot license issued on 24 July 2016. He had accumulated 49.4 total flying hours, with 26.4 hours on the Cessna 172N. His training record indicated he had completed emergency procedures training, including stall/spin recovery and go-arounds. However, prior training evaluations noted deficiencies in cockpit workload management, navigation, and ATC communication. His instructor had assessed him as competent in the last navigation exercise and cleared him for the solo flight.
Aircraft Information
The Cessna 172N is a high-wing monoplane of all-metal semi-monocoque construction, equipped with a fixed tricycle landing gear and a single engine. The aircraft was registered to Atis Aviation (PTY) Ltd and operated by Unitas Flying School under Part 141.
Meteorological Information
At the time of the accident, the reported conditions were: temperature 27°C, dew point 7°C, wind 200° magnetic at 12 knots, visibility 10 km, CAVOK.
Probable Cause
The aircraft bounced on landing following an attempt for a go around and the student took power with the intent to take off with the flaps retracted to zero degrees. The aircraft stalled and impacted the ground heavily approximately 177m, to the right of the runway 21 threshold.