Collision with terrain - VH-ZRR, 21 km south-east of Kojonup (ALA), Western Australia, on 17 November 2009

At about 0800 Western Standard Time on 17 November 2009, the pilot of a Cessna Aircraft Company A188B Agwagon, registered VH-ZRR was fatally injured when his aircraft impacted terrain during spraying operations near Kojonup, Western Australia. The aircraft sustained serious damage.

The investigation determined that the aircraft stalled at an altitude from which the pilot was unable to recover before the aircraft impacted terrain.

The investigation identified two safety issues in regards to the supervision of agricultural pilots. The first related to confusion within the aerial application industry concerning the required regulatory authorisation for a pilot that is the supervisor of a pilot holding an Agricultural Pilot (Aeroplane) Rating Grade 2 (Ag 2 pilot). In response to this issue, CASA provided an explanation of the relevant legislative material, which has been reproduced in this report, as well as an undertaking to provide education to industry on this matter. The second safety issue concerned the lack of guidance on the supervision of pilots with an Ag 2 rating. In response CASA has agreed to provide Advisory Circular guidance to industry on how to supervise Ag 2 pilots.