What happened
During an agricultural spraying operation with light winds of 5 knots, the pilot maneuvered the aircraft in a circular pattern to ensure even chemical distribution. This specific flight path was necessary because the spray material was adhering to the windscreen, which significantly reduced forward visibility for the operator. While executing one of these spraying passes, the right main landing gear wheel collided with an irrigation pipe located on the ground.
The impact caused the right main landing gear wheel to separate from the aircraft structure. Despite the mechanical failure, the pilot managed to divert the flight to a nearby suitable airport. Upon touchdown at the alternate airfield, the aircraft sustained substantial damage due to the compromised landing gear configuration.
The investigation
Examination of the event revealed that the primary mechanical failure was initiated by the collision between the right main landing gear wheel and a stationary irrigation pipe. The separation of the wheel occurred during the active spraying phase, indicating that the structural integrity of the gear assembly was compromised by the ground impact rather than pre-existing mechanical defects.
Findings
The sequence of events highlights the hazards associated with low-altitude agricultural operations near ground infrastructure. Substantial damage to the airframe resulted directly from the loss of the right main landing gear support during the final approach and touchdown phase. The pilot's decision to divert to a suitable airport was critical in preventing further injury or catastrophic failure, although the aircraft itself was rendered non-airworthy by the impact.
Safety message
Pilots conducting agricultural spraying operations should maintain heightened situational awareness regarding ground obstacles, particularly irrigation systems that may not be visible due to spray drift on windshields. Regular inspection of landing gear components after any low-level ground contact is essential to ensure continued airworthiness.