What happened
On 24 July 2021, a pilot operating a Kitfox 7, registration ZU-FIT, departed Worcester Aerodrome for a solo flight to Morning Star Aerodrome in the Western Cape. The flight was conducted under clear visual meteorological conditions. During the landing roll on Runway 02, the pilot was unable to maintain directional control and could not bring the aircraft to a complete stop on the paved surface. The aircraft veered to the left of the runway, causing both wing tips to scrape the ground before the aircraft came to rest approximately 10 metres from the runway edge. There were no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical failure that prevented the aircraft from tracking straight during the landing roll. While the pilot reported no prior defects, a post-incident inspection revealed that the right-side main landing gear brake was non-functional upon application. Investigators determined that the brake hoses installed on the aircraft were of inferior quality and had become brittle over time. This degradation led to the failure of the right brake hose, which broke away from the brake assembly.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was asymmetric braking caused by the failure of the right brake hose.
- The loss of the right brake rendered the left-side brake the only operative component, making it impossible to maintain directional control on the runway.
- The use of inferior-quality brake hoses contributed to the incident as the material became brittle and prone to failure.
Safety action
To prevent similar occurrences, it is recommended that brake tubing and hoses undergo regular inspections for signs of brittleness. Furthermore, the industry should consider replacing standard hoses with a more robust alternative, such as steel braided hoses, on aircraft similar to the ZU-FIT to mitigate the risk of future failures.