What happened
On the afternoon of 6 November 2020, a Cirrus SR22T, registration ZS-CNM, was conducting a private flight from Hazyview Aerodrome to Nelspruit Aerodrome. During the landing sequence on Runway 22, the aircraft experienced a hard touchdown followed by a bounce. In an attempt to recover, the pilot initiated a go-around by applying maximum power. However, the aircraft entered a steep left-wing low attitude and failed to gain sufficient altitude. The aircraft subsequently struck the treetops of a pecan nut orchard, leading to a post-impact fuel-fed fire that destroyed the aircraft. The pilot sustained one fatality.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts from other pilots on the scene. The footage confirmed the aircraft's unstable attitude and the subsequent impact. Investigators also analyzed meteorological data, noting a strong north-westerly wind with gusts. The investigation focused on the aircraft's flight path, the pilot's recent experience, and the aerodynamic effects of the aerodrome's infrastructure on approaching aircraft.
Findings
- The primary cause was the pilot's failure to maintain control during the attempted go-around following an unstable approach.
- The pilot did not compensate for a significant left yaw that occurred immediately after applying maximum power.
- The pilot had very limited experience on the aircraft type, with only 5.0 hours on type.
- Environmental factors contributed to the instability; specifically, a rotor effect caused by hangars on the west side of the runway can create a sudden loss of lift during north-westerly winds.
- The pilot was not officially rated on the Cirrus SR22T according to regulatory requirements.