No fatalities

Single-Engine Crop Sprayer Strikes Power Cables and Crashes in Flames (HB-FDI)

Wad Madani, SudanFlight

On December 5, 1974, a Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter) (registration HB-FDI) operated by Ciba-Pilatus Aerial Spraying Company was involved in an aviation accident near Wad Madani, Sudan in flight. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine aircraft crashed in flames after striking power cables during a low-altitude crop spraying flight. The sole pilot was injured, and the aircraft was destroyed by a post-crash fire.

Accident Overview and Context A single-engine aircraft was operating a crop spraying mission at a low altitude when it collided with power cables. The impact caused the aircraft to crash and ignite. The incident took place during the first sortie of the day, occurring in the early morning shortly after sunrise. ## Casualties and Damage The pilot, who was the only person on board, sustained injuries in the accident. The aircraft was completely destroyed by a post-crash fire. No other individuals were reported to be on board or involved in the incident. ## Operational Details The flight was part of a crop spraying operation, which typically requires low-altitude flight paths to ensure effective application of agricultural chemicals. The collision with power cables during this low-altitude phase led to the loss of the aircraft. The timing of the accident, shortly after sunrise, suggests it occurred during the initial phase of the day's operations.