History of the Flight
On 17 December 2022, a Thrush S2R-T34 aircraft, registration PK-PND, operated by PT Sinar Mas Super Air (SMSA) was conducting aerial topdressing of fertilizers over a palm oil plantation from Kajui Airstrip in Gunung Mas Regency, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Two pilots were on duty that day, divided into morning and afternoon shifts.
Prior to the morning shift, the engineer replaced the left brake pads due to wear approaching the thickness limit. After checking the installation, the pilot tested the brakes; initially the pedals were asymmetric but became normal after pumping. The morning shift flew from 0735 to 1205 LT. During the shift change, the first pilot informed the second pilot about the brake replacement and noted that the tail wheel was dirty and slightly difficult to unlock. The engineer then cleaned and readjusted the tail wheel.
At 1205 LT, the engineer refueled the aircraft in the refueling area near Runway 36. The pilot performed preflight checks with no abnormalities reported. At 1220 LT, taxi began to the loading area near Runway 18 to load fertilizers. The aircraft departed for the first sortie of the afternoon shift at 1225 LT. Weather was sunny with calm wind.
After landing at 1235 LT, the pilot taxied to the loading area but encountered a problem with the fertilizer equipment. The pilot then taxied to the parking area while the issue was resolved. During the taxi, the pilot felt that the left brake had less grip and reported it to the engineer. Before the second sortie, the pilot tested the left brake and found it normal. The second sortie departed at 1255 LT and landed at 1305 LT, after which the aircraft was refilled for the third sortie.
Prior to the takeoff roll for the third sortie, the pilot attempted to steer the aircraft to the right because the aircraft was on the left side of the runway with the left wheel contacting the grass. However, the aircraft continued straight. It then shifted further left, with both the left wheel and tail wheel on the grass shoulder, and the right wheel on the runway edge. Despite increasing power and attempts to turn right, the aircraft went straight ahead. The pilot felt the aircraft jump slightly and attempted to dump the fertilizers. The aircraft then rolled over and came to rest inverted.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including to the nose, propellers, and empennage.
Injuries
The pilot suffered minor injury due to the impact forces.