History of Flight
On Saturday, 16 December 2023, at approximately 0740Z, three aircraft were involved in a near miss collision on Runway 30 (RWY30) at Plettenberg Bay Airfield (FAPG) in the Western Cape province, South Africa. The aircraft involved were:
- ZS-TDJ: A Piper PA-28-161, call sign AVIC123, operated under Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2011 as amended. It was on a solo navigational training flight from George Airport (FAGG), with the intention to conduct touch-and-go landings at various aerodromes including Plettenberg Airfield (FAPG), Willowmore Aerodrome (FAWO), Oudtshoorn Airport (FAOH), Mossel Bay Aerodrome (FAMO), and return to FAGG.
- ZU-IJR: A Safari-LSA aircraft, operated under Part 94 of the CAR 2011 as amended. It had departed from Highway Airfield in Knysna bound for FAPG.
- ZS-FFB: A Cessna aircraft on a private flight in the vicinity of FAPG, operated under Part 91 of the CAR 2011 as amended.
All flights were conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC) by day.
Sequence of Events
The student pilot of ZS-TDJ stated that takeoff from FAGG was uneventful. Upon entering the FAPG airspace, he broadcast his position and intentions on the radio frequency 124.8 MHz. While listening to the radio, he heard that ZS-FFB had requested to backtrack, and ZU-IJR was inbound and had advised it would extend its downwind turn. The student pilot's last broadcast was while at the downwind position. He was observed closely behind ZU-IJR, which was on final approach for landing, without reporting his position.
The pilot of ZU-IJR reported that he maintained radio broadcasts on frequency 124.8 MHz and also listened to frequency 128.2 MHz for George Airport traffic. About 10 nautical miles west of FAPG, he broadcast his position and that he was inbound. The ZU-IJR pilot landed on the grass area alongside Runway 30, which was the active runway in use.
Injuries and Damage
No injuries to persons were reported. No damage to the aircraft was reported.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft ZS-TDJ is a Piper PA-28-161, registered in South Africa. The operator was AIFA. The flight was a training operation.
Aerodrome Information
The occurrence took place at Plettenberg Bay Airfield (FAPG), which is located in the Western Cape province. The active runway was Runway 30.
Communication
All communications were conducted on frequency 124.8 MHz, with additional monitoring of 128.2 MHz by the ZU-IJR pilot.
Investigation Status
The Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) was notified of the occurrence. The occurrence was classified as a serious incident according to CAR 2011 Part 12 and ICAO Annex 13 definitions. An investigator-in-charge has been appointed to conduct a full investigation. This preliminary report contains information gathered during the ongoing investigation and may be updated in an interim or final report.