What happened
On the morning of 31 October 2020, a Piper Pawnee PA-25-235D, registration ZS-MAD, departed a private airstrip near Kirkwood in the Eastern Cape to perform insecticide application on lemon trees at Jacaranda farm. The flight was being conducted under visual flight rules as part of a Part 137 agricultural operation.
After completing two application runs at an altitude of approximately 50 feet, the pilot attempted a right-hand turn to reposition for a third pass. During this maneuver, the aircraft's right wing struck a tall tree. The impact caused the aircraft to enter a nose-down attitude and crash into the terrain. A post-impact fire broke out, consuming the wreckage and causing damage to nearby vegetation. Despite the efforts of witnesses and the arrival of fire-fighting teams, the one fatality was confirmed at the scene.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and interviewed witnesses at the scene. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's engine was producing significant power at the time of impact and there was no evidence of structural or flight control failure. The aircraft's weight and balance were found to be within safe operating limits for the flight. Meteorological data indicated clear weather conditions with no significant wind at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The pilot misjudged the aircraft's proximity to the trees during a steep turn, leading to the collision.
- The low-wing configuration of the aircraft created a blind spot, making it difficult to monitor objects beneath the wing during the maneuver.
- The high speed of the aircraft and the necessity of maintaining a low altitude for spraying made an evasive maneuver difficult once the obstacle was encountered.
- The aircraft was destroyed by the force of the impact and the subsequent fire.