Free State crop-spraying pilot Johann Foley described on Thursday how he survived a crash after his aircraft’s engine faltered near Clocolan.
”I made two passes spraying on Wednesday afternoon and was about to make the second turn at a mountain when the aircraft lost power,” Foley said, adding that he managed to level the aircraft and dump the load.
He was gliding down the hillside when the plane’s wheels hit a small stone hedge.
”The wheels hit the hedge and the plane turned to an angle,” said Foley, who has seven years’ flying experience. ”The aircraft tilted as it came to a standstill, and I fell out when I opened the door. When I looked up, up the plane was on fire and I ran away.”
Foley said he was discharged from the Clocolan Hospital on Wednesday after X-rays were taken. ”They took some X-rays just to make sure and treated me for shock, but I’m OK. An hour later I was out.”
Police initially reported that he jumped out of the aircraft before it hit the ground.
Foley, who is in the employ of Springbok Air-Sprayers at Reitz, said this was his first season of crop spraying. — Sapa