Fletcher FU-24 crash, Oct 5, 2007, Libo (Samsam)
Fletcher FU-24 accident on October 5, 2007 near Libo (Samsam), Riau, Indonesia with no fatalities. Cause: Pilot inexperience with low-level...
- Date: October 5, 2007
- Aircraft: Fletcher FU-24
- Location: Libo (Samsam), Riau, Indonesia
- Fatalities: 0
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: Pilot inexperience with low-level agricultural flying, including a low and slow turn in gusty crosswind conditions and an encounter with downdraft near tree-lined strip. The operator had no training program for new pilots.
A Fletcher FU-24 agricultural aircraft operated by Sinar Mas Super Air was spraying palm plantations in Riau. After takeoff the pilot turned left toward the spray area and met a strong crosswind from the right, then the aircraft sank and its left wing struck palm trees. The aircraft crashed into palms beyond the runway end and was substantially damaged, and the pilot suffered minor injuries.