What happened
On 22 September 2019, a Savannah Africa Oribi aircraft, registration ZU-EHS, was participating in the MISASA Numbi Africa Cup at Graskop Airfield. During a scheduled touch-and-go exercise on Runway 16, the pilot attempted to avoid potholes on the runway surface, which resulted in a deep landing. The aircraft touched down approximately 750m from the threshold of Runway 16, far beyond the designated touchdown box.
Following the touchdown, the pilot applied full power to continue the exercise. However, the aircraft was rotated before reaching the necessary rotation speed. Unable to gain sufficient altitude, the aircraft struck pallets of bricks positioned on the extended centerline of the runway, approximately 100m from the threshold of Runway 34. The impact destroyed the aircraft and resulted in serious injuries for both the pilot and the passenger.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the flight parameters and the airfield conditions. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's approach was too high, causing the pilot to miss the intended landing zone by roughly 450m. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's rotation occurred before it had achieved the required airspeed for a safe climb.
Technical reviews of the Savannah Africa Oribi flight manual were conducted, comparing the pilot's actual airspeed and flap settings against the recommended best angle and rate of climb speeds. The investigation also assessed the airfield layout, noting the presence of the brick pallets on the runway centerline and the physical characteristics of the 850m runway.