What happened
On 5 August 2021, a student pilot operating a Cessna 172S, registration ZS-FIA, performed an initial solo flight departing from and returning to Beaufort West Aerodrome in the Western Cape. The flight took place under favorable weather conditions.
Upon landing on Runway 26, the pilot overheard air traffic control instructing another aircraft to orbit to allow the ZS-FIA to clear the runway. In an effort to expedite the process and accommodate the following traffic, the student pilot applied additional power to increase the taxi speed. This maneuver resulted in an excessively wide turn radius, causing the aircraft to veer left of taxiway C. The aircraft eventually came to a stop approximately 40 metres away from the taxiway. There were no injuries and no damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the excursion. The investigation noted that the student pilot had no prior history of incidents or safety concerns. Following the event, the pilot underwent debriefing sessions with both an instructor and a mentor instructor. Subsequent solo flight training, totaling 2.4 hours of remedial flying, was completed without further issues.