2018 Air Tractor AT-301 emergency landing near Paarl (ZS-KPC)

Overview and occurrence details On 20 June 2018, an Air Tractor AT-301 registered ZS-KPC departed the Boland Agricultural High School airfield near Paarl, Western Cape Province, for a crop-spraying operation. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported that during the return leg the fuel flow indicator began to fluctuate, followed by a loss of engine power. At approximately 650 feet above ground level and an indicated airspeed of 135 mph, the engine failed and shut down. The pilot notified ground operations personnel and executed an emergency landing in an open field about 2 nautical miles from the intended landing point. ## Damage and injuries On touchdown, the main landing gear dug into soft ground, causing the nose to tip over and the propeller to strike the ground. The aircraft came to rest in a nose-down attitude. Damage was limited to the undercarriage, nose cowling, propeller, and support structure. The pilot sustained no injuries. The pilot reported that approximately 220 litres of fuel remained on board after the accident. ## Investigation findings The pilot held a valid commercial pilot’s licence and the required rating, along with a valid aviation medical certificate. The aircraft held a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and Certificate of Release to Service. The engine was a Walter M601 D turbine power plant. Post-accident engine run, borescope inspection, and troubleshooting of the fuel and engine bleed systems by an aircraft maintenance organisation in Bethlehem, Free State Province, did not identify an anomaly or isolate a fault. ## Probable cause The investigation determined that the accident resulted from an unsuccessful forced landing due to engine failure. The cause of the engine failure could not be determined.