Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during an aerial application maneuver. Factors were the trees adjacent to the wheat field, and the soft terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was spraying herbicides on a wheat field. At the end of a spray pass, the aircraft collided with the tops of some pine trees. The pilot landed the aircraft in an open field, and it nosed over in soft mud. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the aircraft during the accident flight, that the accident was his own mistake. The investigation revealed that the aircraft had not been inspected in over 4 years, the pilot had not completed a biennial flight review in over 6 years, and the pilot had not received an FAA medical certificate in over 3 years.
Source record
Factual narrative
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