What happened
On the morning of 31 December 2022, an Air Tractor AT502A, registration ZS-AVA, was engaged in aerial application at Cornelia Farm in the Free State province. The flight, conducted under Part 1/37 regulations, involved spraying pesticide over a maize field. After departing from Vrede Private Airstrip, the pilot arrived at the field and performed an initial inspection of the area for potential hazards.
Following the inspection, the pilot began a series of spray runs at an altitude of approximately 3 feet above ground level. During the third pass, the aircraft struck power lines that spanned the area near the maize field. The impact caused the lines to be severed by the propeller blades. Despite the collision, the pilot maintained control of the aircraft and successfully returned to Vrede Private Airstrip to land safely. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the leading edge tips of the propeller blades and the right-side elevator.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the collision and the operational status of the aircraft and crew. The investigation confirmed that the pilot was highly experienced, with over 14,000 total flight hours and 169.1 hours on this specific aircraft type. The pilot was found to be well-rested and held a valid Commercial Pilot Licence and medical certificate.
The aircraft, a single-seat turboprop, was found to be airworthy at the time of dispatch. Maintenance records indicated that the most recent 100-hour inspection had been completed approximately 70 hours prior to the incident. The investigation also verified that the operator held a valid Air Operating Certificate and that all necessary certifications for the aircraft were in order.