What happened
On 1 November 2014, an Ibis GS-700, registration ZU-IBI, was conducting a private flight from Springs aerodrome to Panorama airfield in Gauteng. The flight, which included the pilot and one passenger, proceeded without incident during the departure and cruise phases. However, during the landing phase at Panorama, the pilot initiated a flare that was too high. This maneuver resulted in a hard impact with the grass and gravel runway, causing the aircraft to bounce five times. During this sequence, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the propeller blade struck the ground. The occupants were able to evacuate the aircraft without any injuries.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the landing at Panorama airfield. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid license, the necessary type rating, and a current medical certificate. Meteorological conditions at the time of the incident were fine, with overcast skies and good visibility, and were not determined to be a factor in the event. Furthermore, maintenance records indicated that the aircraft had been properly maintained according to manufacturer and regulatory requirements.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was poor landing technique.
- A contributing factor was the pilot's relatively low level of experience on this specific aircraft type, having flown only 4.6 hours on the model.
- The sequence of events was triggered by an excessive flare, which led to the subsequent nose gear failure and propeller contact.