What happened
On the morning of 14 December 2024, a solo student pilot was conducting a navigational training flight from Cape Town International Aerodrome to Saldanha Aerodrome. The flight, operated by Cape Town International Aviation Academy, was intended to include a touch-and-go maneuver at Saldanha before returning to Cape Town.
Upon arriving at Saldanha Aerodrome, the pilot performed two circuits and elected to use Runway 02 for a touch-and a go. After touching down and retracting the flaps, the pilot applied full power to initiate the takeoff. As the aircraft reached approximately 60 knots and the nose wheel lifted, the aircraft began to veer left. The pilot was unable to correct the deviation, causing the Piper PA-38-112, registration ZS-KHZ, to depart the runway surface. The aircraft traveled through the adjacent dry grass, causing the nose landing gear to bend backward and forcing the aircraft to nose over into an inverted position. The pilot sustained minor injuries, while the aircraft suffered substantial damage.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID established that the flight was conducted under visual meteorological conditions during the daytime. While the pilot chose Runway 02, the prevailing winds were from the south-southwest at approximately 10 to 15 knots, which would have favored a landing on Runway 20. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's maintenance was up to date, with the last inspection completed in October 2024. The student pilot held a valid Student Pilot Licence and a current medical certificate. No mechanical failures were noted in the preliminary findings, and the aircraft was not equipped with flight recorders.