Summary
On 26 September 2001 at approximately 1615Z, a Piper PA36-285 aircraft, registration ZS-JLI, was involved in an accident while conducting crop spraying operations near Danielsrus in the Free State province of South Africa. The aircraft departed from a private airstrip about 3 nautical miles southwest of the field to be sprayed. The pilot, who held a valid commercial license, was the sole occupant and was not injured. The aircraft suffered substantial damage.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA36-285, a single-engine agricultural airplane. The pilot had accumulated 6,895 total flying hours, including 2,449 hours on the accident type. The pilot's license was valid and appropriate for the operation.
Accident Narrative
According to the pilot's account, after taking off from a grass runway located approximately 3 nautical miles southwest of the target field, he positioned the aircraft for the first spray run. He descended to the intended spray height and completed about half of the strip. Due to rising ground on the left side, he turned right to align for the next spray run. During the turn, the aircraft began to lose altitude and approached a stall condition. The pilot immediately dumped the remaining spray load but was unable to prevent the aircraft from colliding with the ground.
Meteorological Information
Weather conditions at the time were reported as fine, with a northwesterly wind of approximately 5 knots.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained substantial damage in the collision. The pilot, the only person on board, was unhurt; there were no injuries or fatalities.
Probable Cause
The accident was attributed to the increase in stalling speed during the turn and a sudden tailwind component, which prevented the pilot from taking timely corrective action, resulting in collision with the ground.