Cessna A188B Crop Spraying Accident at Joubertina (ZS-NTY)

Incident Overview and Flight History On 6 February 2014, a Cessna A188B agricultural aircraft, registration ZS-NTY, operated by Sand River Crop Protection CC, crashed during a crop spraying mission. The flight departed from Joubertina aerodrome in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The pilot, a 22-year-old commercial pilot, was the sole occupant. The aircraft was loaded with 37 gallons of Avgas LL 100 and 600 litres of crop chemical. The flight proceeded to a nearby apple field at Louterwater, where initial spraying passes were completed without incident. ## Accident Sequence While attempting a 180-degree turn at approximately 300 feet above ground level near a mountain site, the aircraft failed to maintain flying speed. The pilot jettisoned approximately 460 litres of remaining chemical in an attempt to reduce weight and recover the aircraft, but the maneuver was unsuccessful. The propeller struck tall trees, and the aircraft nosed over into a bushy area on the lee side of the mountain. The impact destroyed the aircraft, though no fire occurred. ## Investigation Findings The investigation identified mountain wave turbulence on the flight path as a factor that affected the aircraft's airspeed and altitude, making ground impact inevitable. The probable cause was determined to be the failure to maintain flying speed. The pilot sustained minor injuries to the shoulders and jaw and was rescued by a nearby farmer. The aircraft's certificate of airworthiness had expired on 12 September 2013, and the pilot was not rated for agricultural operations, though he was type-endorsed for the aircraft.