Section/division Incident and Incident Investigations Division Form Number: CA 12-12b AIRCRAFT INCIDENT REPORT AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Aircraft Registration Type of Aircraft Cessna 172 Reference: CA18/3/2/0766 ZS-EDT Date of Incident 12 March 2010 Time of Incident 0800Z Type of Operation Private Pilot-in-command Licence Type Private Age 20 Licence Valid Yes Pilot-in-command Flying Experience Last point of departure Total Flying Hours Nelspruit Aerodrome (FANS) 132,7 Hours on Type 41.3 Next point of intended landing Nelspruit Aerodrome (FANS) Location of the incident site with reference to easily defined geographical points (GPS readings if possible) Nelspruit Aerodrome Meteorological Information Surface wind: 260 /20 kts. Temperature: 18 C. Visibility: CAVOK Number of people on board Synopsis 1 + 0 No. of people injured 0 No. of people killed 0 The pilot was practising circuits and landings. She vacated the runway and took the taxiway that runs past the Lowveld Aeroclub at Nelspruit Aerodrome. The pilot continued taxiing past a bakkie parked to the right of the taxiway, because the taxiway looked clear. However, the aircraft collided with an object namely a black box against a dark background which was protruding from the bakkie. The bakkie was illegally parked next to the taxiway in a part of the airfield that was not designated for parking. The pilot sustained no injuries. The aircraft sustained damage to the right wingtip. Probable Cause The pilot inadvertently collided with an object protruding from a bakkie which was illegally parked next to a taxi way. IARC Date Release Date CA 12-12b 23 FEBRUARY 2006 Page 1 of 6
Section/division Accident and Incident Investigations Division Form Number: CA 12-12b AIRCRAFT INCIDENT REPORT Name of Owner : P & G Partnership Name of Operator : Unique Flight Academy Manufacturer : Cessna Aircraft Company Model : 172E Nationality : South African Registration Marks : ZS-EDT Place : Nelspruit Aerodrome Date : 12 March 2010 Time : 0800Z All times given in this report are Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) and will be denoted by (Z). South African Standard Time is UTC plus 2 hours. Purpose of the Investigation: In terms of Regulation 12.03.1 of the Civil Aviation Regulations (1997) this report was compiled in the interest of the promotion of aviation safety and the reduction of the risk of aviation incidents or incidents and not to establish legal liability. Disclaimer: This report is given without prejudice to the rights of the CAA, which are reserved. 1. FACTUAL INFORMATION 1.1 History of Flight 1.1.1 The pilot flew the aircraft at Nelspruit Aerodrome, executing circuits and landings. On completion of the flights, the student pilot landed on the runway and vacated into the taxiway that runs past the general aviation maintenance area. As the aircraft was taxiing past the Lowveld Aerodrome hangar, the pilot observed a vehicle parked in front of the hangar on the opposite side of the taxiway. 1.1.2 The pilot reported that the taxiway was narrow and had a slight slope. The pilot was unable to see the object the vehicle was carrying. The pilot continued taxiing, clearing the vehicle on the right and at the same time concentrating on clearing an aircraft on the left. The pilot suddenly felt the aircraft impacting with an object and immediately applied brakes. The pilot walked around the aircraft to investigate the damage caused and realised that the right wing had hit a black box in the vehicle s cargo section. The pilot had not seen the black box and was surprised by its presence after the impact. CA 12-12a 25 MAY 2010 Page 2 of 6
1.2 Injuries to Persons Injuries Pilot Crew Pass. Other Fatal - - - - Serious - - - - Minor - - - - None 1 - - - 1.3 Damage to Aircraft 1.3.1 The aircraft sustained substantial damage. 1.4 Other Damage 1.4.1 None. 1.5 Personnel Information Nationality Indian Gender Female Age 20 Licence Number * * * * * * * * * * Licence Type Private Licence valid Yes Type Endorsed Yes Ratings Night Medical Expiry Date 30 November 2010 Restrictions Corrective lens Previous Incidents None Flying Experience: Total Hours 132,7 Total Past 90 Days 14,1 Total on Type Past 90 Days 14,1 Total on Type 41,3 1.6 Aircraft Information Airframe: Type Cessna 172E Serial Number 172-51697 Manufacturer Cessna Aircraft Company Year of Manufacture 1964 Total Airframe Hours (At time of Incident) 6060,4 Last MPI (Date & Hours) 15 October 2009 5974,7 Hours since Last MPI 85,7 C of A (Issue Date) 20 May 2010 C of R (Issue Date) (Present owner) 14 November 2002 Operating Categories Standard CA 12-12a 25 MAY 2010 Page 3 of 6
Engine: Type Continental 0-300-C Serial Number 21832D4C Hours since New Unknown Hours since Overhaul 1176,8 Propeller: Type McCauley IC 172/EM7653 Serial Number OM104 Hours since New 2926,7 Hours since Overhaul 812,7 1.7 Meteorological Information 1.7.1Weather information as obtained from the pilot s questionnaire: Wind direction 260 Wind speed 20 kts Visibility CAVOK Temperature 18 C Cloud cover FEW Cloud base 700 feet Dew point 17 C 1.8 Aids to Navigation 1.8.1 The aircraft was equipped with standard equipment as per manufacturer s design. None was reported unserviceable during the flight or prior to the incident. 1.9 Communications 1.9.1 The aircraft was equipped with standard communications equipment and none was reported unserviceable during the flight or after the incident. 1.10 Aerodrome Information Aerodrome Location FANS Aerodrome Co-ordinates S253008,01 E0305442,54 Aerodrome Elevation 2901 Runway Designations 04 22 Runway Dimensions 1042 X 18 1042 X 18 Runway Used Taxiway Runway Surface Asphalt Approach Facilities VOR 1.11 Flight Recorders 1.11.1 The aircraft was not fitted with a cockpit voice recorder (CVR) or a flight data recorder (FDR) and neither was required by regulations to be fitted to this type of CA 12-12a 25 MAY 2010 Page 4 of 6
aircraft. 1.11 Wreckage and Impact Information 1.12.1 The aircraft was taxiing on the taxiway towards the fuel bay. The right wing collided with a black box on a vehicle parked next to the taxiway behind the buildings and it was obstructing the pilot s view. 1.13 Medical and Pathological Information 1.13.1 None 1.14 Fire 1.14.1 There was no evidence of pre- or post-impact fire. 1.15 Survival Aspects 1.15.1 The incident was considered survivable. The cabin area of the aircraft was still intact after the incident and the pilot was properly restrained with a safety belt and safety harness. 1.16 Tests and Research 1.16.1 None 1.17 Organizational and Management Information 1.17.1 This was a private flight. 1.17.2 The aircraft maintenance organisation (AMO) responsible for the maintenance of the aircraft had a valid approval certificate. The last audit prior to the incident was carried out on 17 November 2009. There was one major finding, which could not have contributed to the incident. 1.17 Additional Information 1.18.1 None 1.19 Useful or Effective Investigation Techniques 1.19.1 None CA 12-12a 25 MAY 2010 Page 5 of 6
2. ANALYSIS 2.1 The pilot was practising circuits and landings. She left the runway and took the taxiway that runs past the Lowveld Aeroclub at Nelspruit Aerodrome. The pilot continued taxiing and cleared a bakkie parked to the right of the taxiway, because the taxiway looked clear. However, the pilot collided with a black box against a dark background protruding from the bakkie. The bakkie was illegally parked next to the taxiway in a part of the airfield that was not designated for parking. 2.2 The aircraft was properly maintained and according to available documentation, it did not have any defect or malfunction that could have contributed to or caused the incident. 2.3 The available information revealed that fine weather conditions prevailed at the time of the flight and subsequent incident. Therefore it is concluded that weather was not a contributory factor to the incident. 3. CONCLUSION 3.1 Findings 3.1.1 The pilot had a valid licence and was properly rated at the time of incident. 3.1.2 The pilot had a valid medical certificate with restrictions. 3.1.3 The aircraft was properly maintained. 3.1.4 The aircraft had a valid certificate of airworthiness and certificate of registration. 3.1.5 The weather was not a contributing factor to this incident. 3.2 Probable Cause/s 3.2.1 The pilot inadvertently collided with an object protruding from a bakkie which was illegally parked next to a taxi way. 4. SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS 4.1 None 5. APPENDICES 5.1 None Report reviewed and amended by the Advisory Safety Panel 8 February 2011. -END- CA 12-12a 25 MAY 2010 Page 6 of 6