What happened
On 9 July 2025, a private flight departing from Brakpan Airfield (FABB) in Gauteng Province resulted in a serious incident upon the aircraft's return. The flight, operated under Part 94 regulations, involved a Cubby PI X28/5 with registration ZU-DLH. After a brief flight to Suikerbosrand, the pilot returned to Brakpan to perform a full-stop landing on the grass-covered Runway 21.
During the approach, the pilot noted a light wind of 5 knots. While the touchdown was initially described as stable at 52 knots, the aircraft's right main landing gear collapsed outward approximately 50 metres into the landing roll. This failure caused the strut to strike the ground, triggering a rightward yaw and a subsequent ground loop that left the aircraft facing the opposite direction of its approach. There were no fatalities and no injuries to the pilot or passenger, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the rear fuselage and the right main undercarriage.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the aircraft's condition and the landing environment. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's annual inspection was current, having been completed only 2.7 hours prior to the incident. Investigators also reviewed the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH) for the Cubby PI X285, which recommends a landing speed of approximately 40 knots for a three-point configuration and advises maintaining full aft stick to minimize landing loads.
Findings
- The pilot approached and touched down at 52 knots, which exceeded the recommended landing speed specified in the POH.
- The landing occurred on an uneven grass surface, which increased the impact forces on the airframe.
- Evidence suggested that the right main landing gear had undergone progressive weakening due to the cumulative effects of hard landings during previous operations.
- The primary cause of the incident was the outward collapse of the right main landing gear, which led to the loss of directional control.