Saldanha, Western Cape – On Sunday, December 15, 2024, a Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk was involved in an accident at Saldanha Vredenburg Airfield (FASD).
The incident occurred during a training session when the aircraft attempted a downwind landing on runway 02. The plane lost control and overturned near the runway, sustaining substantial damage. The sole occupant, a student pilot, was fortunate to escape with moderate injuries. No other fatalities or injuries were reported.
A downwind landing occurs when an aircraft lands with the wind blowing from behind it, in the same direction it is traveling. This situation is generally avoided in aviation because it increases the aircraft’s ground speed during landing, which can:
- Increase the landing distance: Higher ground speed requires more runway to come to a complete stop.
- Compromise control: The faster ground speed can make it harder to maintain directional control during touchdown and rollout.
- Stress the aircraft: The increased speed may stress brakes and tires.
Pilots aim to land into the wind whenever possible to reduce ground speed and improve control. However, downwind landings might be necessary due to runway constraints, emergencies, or unexpected wind shifts.
This accident highlights the potential risks associated with downwind landings, especially in training scenarios.
Confidence Rating
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