What happened
On 13 June 2021, a Jabiru J170 lightsport aircraft, registered ZU-TGH, was conducting a private flight departing from and returning to the Inungi farm airstrip in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal. The flight, which included the pilot and one passenger, was operating under visual meteorological conditions with favorable weather and a temperature of 19°C.
Following a successful takeoff from the grass runway, the aircraft completed a one-hour flight and returned to the airstrip. The pilot performed a successful touch-and-go landing on Runway 34. However, during the subsequent landing roll at a ground speed of 45 knots, the aircraft drifted toward the left side of the runway. Despite the pilot's attempts to correct the path using right rudder, the aircraft veered off the runway surface. During the excursion, the nose gear wheel struck a ditch, causing the nose gear strut to break under the impact. The propeller blades also made contact with the ground. The aircraft slid approximately eight meters before coming to a stop. There were no injuries to the occupants.
The investigation
The investigation, based on information provided by the pilot, confirmed that the aircraft was well-maintained, with a completed preflight inspection and no recorded mechanical defects. The engine had started normally, and the aircraft was carrying 85 litres of Avgas LL170. The investigation established that there were no mechanical failures regarding the braking or steering systems that would have hindered the pilot's ability to operate the rudder pedals.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the propeller blades and the nose gear strut.
- The primary cause of the incident was the loss of directional control during the landing roll, which led to the aircraft exiting the runway.