What happened
On 20 December 2023, a Piper PA25-235, registration ZS-FDT, was conducting aerial crop-spraying operations at Noods Hulp Private Farm near Ottosdale. After a delay caused by high winds earlier in the day, the pilot attempted a second spray run following an initial successful pass. During the takeoff roll from the prepared runway strip at approximately 1533Z, the aircraft's right main landing gear made contact with soft sand.
This contact caused the aircraft to veer toward the right side of the runway. Despite the pilot's efforts to steer the aircraft back to the left, the plane pivoted 180 degrees and skidded sideways. During the skid, the main landing gear broke off, and the aircraft struck a perimeter fence, resulting in damage to the propeller blades and the leading edges of both wings. The crop-spraying equipment was also destroyed. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, disembarked from the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The SACAA AIID investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid Commercial Pilot Licence and a current Class 1 medical certificate. The aircraft was operating under the provisions of Part 137 for aerial work. The investigation verified that the Piper PA25-235 had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and had undergone its last mandatory periodic inspection within the required timeframe.
Review of the aircraft logbooks revealed no recorded mechanical or system defects prior to the accident. While the pilot reported specific wind conditions, meteorological data from the nearby Klerksdorp Airport indicated relatively calm conditions, with winds significantly below the aircraft's 15-knot operational limit. The investigation also noted that there was no documented evidence of soft sand being a permanent feature of the runway.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was that the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft during the takeoff roll.
- The aircraft veered off the runway after the right main landing gear encountered soft sand.
- The impact with the perimeter fence and the subsequent skidding led to the structural failure of the landing gear and damage to the wings and propeller.