Accident Details
On 1 November 2002 at 0635Z, a Cessna A188B agricultural aircraft, registration ZS-NTW, was involved in an accident at Bethlehem. The pilot had been engaged in a crop spraying detail and was flying at low level when he momentarily looked inside the cockpit, becoming distracted. The aircraft struck the ground but became airborne again; however, the main undercarriage was sheared off during the impact.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was operated under a valid operator's license (No N683D/G253D) and had flown 79 hours since its last mandatory periodic inspection (MPI). The next MPI was due on 27 February 2003 or at 2,943 hours, whichever occurred first. The pilot held a commercial pilot license and had accumulated 1,494 total flying hours, including 401 hours on type. He was 22 years old at the time of the accident.
Emergency Landing
After realizing the undercarriage damage, the pilot flew the aircraft back to Bethlehem and executed an emergency landing on the grass runway (Runway 30). The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but the pilot was not injured. Weather conditions at the time were fine with calm wind.
Probable Cause
While flying at low level during a crop spraying detail, the pilot was distracted and collided with the ground and during impact the aircraft’s main undercarriage was sheared off.