Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft involved was a Cessna T188C, registration ZS-LHX. The pilot held a Commercial Pilot License and had accumulated 17,000 total flying hours, including 8,700 hours on type. The last Mandatory Periodic Inspection (MPI) was completed on 4 February 2005 at 8,791.4 airframe hours. At the time of the accident, the aircraft had flown an additional 59.2 hours since the last MPI.
Accident Sequence
On 15 February 2005 at approximately 1550Z, the pilot had completed an agricultural spraying detail and was taking off for another flight with 100 litres of water onboard to clean the spraying system. The departure was from a private aerodrome located on a farm in the Delmas district, with an intended landing at the same location. The pilot reported weather conditions as wind north-easterly at 4 knots, temperature 26°C, visibility good with no cloud.
During the take-off run, as the pilot raised the tail of the aircraft, he observed several Egyptian geese on the runway ahead. In an attempt to avoid collision, the pilot steered the aircraft to the left. This maneuver caused the left-hand wing to make contact with a maize crop growing on the left side of the runway. The aircraft then yawed uncontrollably to the left, departed the left side of the runway, and came to rest inverted approximately 8 metres from the left edge of the runway and 109 metres beyond the point of first contact with the maize crop.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained extensive structural damage. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, did not report any injuries. No other persons were involved.
Probable Cause
In an attempt to prevent a collision with a flock of Egyptian geese on the runway, the pilot steered the aircraft to the left of the runway and inadvertently allowed the left-hand wing to make contact with the maize crop on the left hand side of the runway which resulted in an uncontrollable yaw to the left and collision with the ground.