What happened
On 4 May 2022, an Air Tractor AT-502B, registration ZS-OBR, was performing agricultural spraying duties at Botselo Private Farm in the North West Province. The aircraft departed from the Botselo Private Airstrip to conduct a routine mission under visual meteorological conditions.
During the flight, the pilot had just uplifted the 11th load of crop-spraying solution. As the aircraft accelerated to a rotation speed of 80 mph and began its climb, it experienced a sudden loss of lift. The aircraft descended rapidly into a maize field, striking the soft ground before flipping onto its back. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, escaped the zero fatalities incident without any injuries, though the aircraft suffered substantial damage.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the departure and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid Commercial Pilot Licence and the aircraft's maintenance records, including the most recent periodic inspection, were up to date.
Data regarding the takeoff conditions revealed that the wind direction shifted from 180° to 220° shortly after the aircraft left the ground. This shift resulted in the pilot facing tailwind components during the takeoff roll. The investigation also noted that the aircraft was carrying 250 litres of Jet A1 fuel, well within its 600-litre capacity.
Findings
- The shift in wind direction to a south-westerly component created tailwind conditions, which increased the required distance for the takeoff run.
- The pilot likely failed to utilize the full length of the available runway/road, leading to rotation before the aircraft had reached the necessary airspeed for a safe climb.
- The aircraft's inability to maintain altitude during the climb phase directly led to the impact with the ground.