Agricultural aircraft collision with terrain during spraying run

Summary

A PZL Dromader agricultural aircraft conducting a pesticide application run over a rice crop near Griffith struck an unmarked irrigation pump station structure at low level. The aircraft sustained major damage to the left wing and landing gear. The pilot was seriously injured but survived after executing a forced landing in the adjacent crop.

Investigation Findings (4)

1. 01The irrigation pump station had been installed approximately 3 weeks prior and was not shown on the operator's obstruction chart.
2. 02The farm manager had not notified the aerial agricultural operator of the new structure as required by their service agreement.
3. 03The pilot was conducting the run at the legal minimum height of 10 ft AGL.
4. 04CASA issued a safety bulletin to landholders on obligations to notify operators of new structures in areas subject to aerial agricultural operations.