What happened
On Monday, September 8, 2025, an Air Tractor AT-802 agricultural aircraft operated by Aerotech Group crashed near Yeelanna on South Australia's Lower Eyre Peninsula. The aircraft was conducting crop-spraying operations when the accident occurred at approximately 13:30 local time.
The pilot, a 36-year-old man from Port Lincoln and the sole occupant of the aircraft, was fatally injured in the crash. Authorities were alerted when the aircraft's emergency locator beacon activated, prompting an immediate response from emergency services including the Cummins Country Fire Service.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) confirmed that a team of investigators specialising in aircraft operations and engineering would travel from Melbourne and Canberra to inspect the wreckage and examine flight tracking and maintenance records. The ATSB will also review weather conditions at the time of the accident. A report will be prepared for the coroner by the South Australian Police major crash unit.
- The pilot, a 36-year-old man from Port Lincoln and the sole occupant of the aircraft, was fatally injured in the crash