What happened
On 2/29/2019, a private flight departing from Diemskraal Aerodrome was en route to Porterville Aerodrome in the Western Cape. While attempting to land on Runway 35, the pilot of the Sportsman GS-2, registration ZU-JVN, touched down at the beginning of the runway. During the landing roll, approximately 440 meters into the runway, the aircraft began to skid sideways. A gust of wind hitting the tail section contributed to the aircraft losing directional control. The aircraft veered toward the edge of the runway, where the right main landing gear struck an embankment. This impact caused the aircraft to pivot on its vertical axis in a ground loop, eventually striking a perimeter fence. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the propeller, wing tip, and left main landing gear, though the pilot escaped without injury.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the flight parameters and the aircraft's mechanical state. The investigation focused on the aircraft's speed during the final approach and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators reviewed the pilot's logbook, which showed recent training on this specific aircraft type, and confirmed the aircraft had undergone its annual inspection less than a month prior to the event. The investigation also analyzed the wind conditions, calculating a crosswind component of 8 knots, and determined that the weather was not a primary factor in the loss of control.
Findings
- The pilot performed an unstable approach with an indicated airspeed of 55 knots.
- The approach speed was below the manufacturer's recommended minimum of 60-65 knots.
- The aircraft's right main landing gear impacted an embankment, triggering the ground loop.
- The aircraft was rolling with the left main gear in contact while the right gear remained airborne until the impact with the embankment.