What happened
On the morning of 27 March 2025, an Air Tractor AT-502 aircraft, registration ZS-MLK, departed from a private airstrip at Groot Pan in the North West Province for a scheduled agricultural crop-spraying mission. The aircraft was operating under Part 137 regulations, carrying approximately 1,400 litres of insecticide and 400 litres of fuel. The flight was intended to be a local operation, returning to the same airstrip.
During the initial climb, at an altitude of roughly 50 feet above the ground, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of airspeed and an uncommanded descent. In an attempt to recover control, the pilot jettisoned the chemical payload. Despite this effort, the aircraft's right wing dropped, striking a nearby maize field. The momentum caused the aircraft to strike the ground and flip over, resulting in a post-impact fire. The pilot was able to exit the wreckage and extinguish the flames using an onboard extinguisher; there were no fatalities and no injuries were reported.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance history and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy, with all mandatory inspections up to date and no outstanding maintenance defects. The weight and balance calculations were also found to be within approved limits, with the takeoff weight being well below the maximum allowable threshold.
Technical analysis of the engine and propeller indicated that the powerplant was producing substantial power at the moment of impact. Meteorological data from the South African Weather Service revealed that while the flight began with a left crosswind, a sudden shift in wind direction occurred during the climb.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the encounter with windshear during the takeoff climb.
- A sudden shift from a crosswind to a tailwind caused a rapid loss of lift and insufficient airspeed.
- The aircraft's right wing stalled and dropped due to the loss of airspeed and the effects of the wind shift.
- The pilot was unable to maintain sufficient speed to regain control of the aircraft before it impacted the ground.