What happened
On 10 February 2015, a private flight training session at Light Flight Aerodrome in Cato Ridge, KwaZulu-Natal, resulted in an aircraft incident. The pilot was performing circuit training in an Aeroprakt A-22LS, registration ZU-LFT, when the aircraft experienced an unusual touchdown during the landing phase.
During the approach, the aircraft floated significantly down the runway. The pilot noted that high thermal conditions, with temperatures reaching 37°C, contributed to the aircraft floating further than anticipated. As the aircraft reached the end of runway 01, it touched down nose-first. This impact caused the propeller blades to strike the runway surface, resulting in cracks to the blades. The aircraft came to a stop on the runway, and the pilot was uninjured.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID confirmed that the pilot was properly licensed and rated for the operation. The aircraft, which was being operated under Part 91, was found to be properly maintained, with no mechanical defects reported before or after the event. The investigation also noted environmental factors, specifically that the runway in question has a downhill slope, which may have influenced the aircraft's behavior during the landing flare.