What happened
On 26 September 2025, a Mooney M20J, registration ZS-LBS, was performing a private flight from Calvinia Airfield to Rosebank Private Airstrip in the Northern Cape. The flight was operating under visual meteorological conditions. Upon approaching the destination, the pilot observed a windsock indicating strong north-westerly winds and elected to land on Runway 24, an 850-metre strip.
Although the aircraft touched down smoothly at approximately 80 mph, the touchdown occurred much further down the runway than intended. Shortly after contact with the surface, the aircraft experienced a sudden lateral drift to the right. Despite the pilot's attempts to correct the movement with left rudder input, the aircraft skidded off the prepared surface. As the aircraft rolled onto uneven terrain, the left main landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to come to rest with its left wing touching the ground. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, though the aircraft sustained damage to the wing structure and landing gear assembly.
The investigation
The SACAA AIID investigation examined the pilot's credentials, the aircraft's maintenance history, and the prevailing meteorological conditions. The pilot held a valid Private Pilot Licence and was experienced on the aircraft type. The Mooney M20J was found to be airworthy, having undergone an annual inspection only eight hours prior to the incident.
Investigators analyzed the wind conditions using electronic weather data and physical observations at the site. While the pilot observed a strong crosswind, the recorded meteorological data indicated a wind direction of 060° at 13 knots, gusting to 23 knots. This resulted in a significant tailwind component for the chosen landing direction.
Findings
- The pilot's decision to use Runway 24 resulted in landing with a significant tailwind component.
- The tailwind increased the aircraft's ground speed and the required landing distance, leaving insufficient room to stop on the available runway.
- The aircraft's excursion onto the uneven terrain beyond the runway edge directly led to the collapse of the left main landing gear.