What happened
On the morning of 8 January 2022, an Air Tractor AT-502A, registration ZS-XPC, was performing agricultural spraying duties at Farm Elandsfontein in the Fochville District, Gauteng. The operation involved applying herbicide to a maize field that had become waterlogged due to recent heavy rains.
During the mission, a person on the ground was filming the aircraft's flight with a mobile phone. As the pilot executed a low-level left turn to reposition for the next spray run, the left-wing tip of the aircraft made contact with the individual. The impact struck the person's left leg below the knee and caused bruising to the upper arm. The injured person was subsequently transported to a hospital in Potchefstroom for surgery.
The investigation
The SACAA AIID investigation examined the flight sequence, the positioning of bystanders, and the responsibilities of the operation's sponsor. Investigators found that the pilot was flying at approximately 250 km/h and was required to maintain a very low altitude due to the specific chemical being applied. Because the terrain sloped downhill, the pilot's line of sight was obstructed, making it difficult to see individuals positioned in the flight path.
Evidence from video footage showed the person filming had moved into a vulnerable position, eventually lying on his back while continuing to record the aircraft. The investigation also noted that the pilot had not provided a safety briefing to the farmer's family, and the pilot assumed bystanders would remain in a designated loading zone away from the maneuvering area.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the left-wing tip striking a person on the ground during a low-level turn.
- The individual filming the flight failed to maintain a safe distance and positioned himself directly within the aircraft's maneuvering area.
- The farmer, acting as the sponsor, did not intervene to warn the bystanders or prevent them from entering the danger zone.
- The pilot's visibility was limited by the aircraft's engine and hopper tank, as well as the downhill slope of the field.
- There was a lack of familiarity with the safety requirements outlined in SANS 10118 regarding the protection of observers during aerial pesticide applications.