What happened
On the morning of 24 February 2022, a Zenith Stol CH750 aircraft, registration ZU-IGM, was engaged in agricultural spraying operations near Standerton, Mpumalanga. The flight departed from the Groenvlei private farm airstrip with the intention of returning to the same location. The mission involved applying a pesticide mixture to a soybean field at Katdoornkraal farm, situated approximately 1.6 nautical miles north of the departure point.
During the application process, the aircraft was flying at an altitude of roughly 10 feet above the ground. While maneuvering over the field, the aircraft's spray boom became entangled in the soybean plant branches. This entanglement caused the pilot to lose control, resulting in the aircraft flipping over and coming to rest in an inverted position. The aircraft suffered substantial damage, though the pilot escaped without injury. No damage to third-party property was reported beyond the affected crops.
The investigation
The investigation examined the mechanical condition of the aircraft, the environmental conditions, and the pilot's credentials. The aircraft, an amateur-built model, was found to have been well-maintained, with its most recent annual inspection completed in September 2021. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was carrying 50 litres of Avgas 100LL and approximately 60 litres of pesticide mixture.
Investigators confirmed that the engine and mechanical systems were functioning correctly and that the weather conditions—characterized by clear skies and light winds—were favorable for flight. However, the investigation noted that the pilot was operating under a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) rather than the required agricultural pilot rating.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the entanglement of the spray boom in the soybean crops, which led to the loss of control.
- The aircraft was operating at a very low altitude, which provided a minimal margin for error during the spraying run.
- The pilot was operating the aircraft without the specific agricultural pilot rating required by South African Civil Aviation Regulations.