Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during agricultural application maneuvering. Factors were the trees in the vicinity of the planned flight path.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The commercial pilot was performing aerial application passes on a farm field. During the pull up from a spray pass, the aircraft collided with a pine tree. The wind screen shattered, and facial cuts and bleeding blinded the pilot. While attempting to land the aircraft collided with trees, then impacted the ground. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the collision with the tree.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 5, 1993, at about 0730 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N91676, collided with trees during maneuvering flight near Centre, Alabama. The pilot had serious injuries in the accident. The aircraft was destroyed. The aircraft was operated by J and S Flying Service under 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local, aerial application flight. The flight originated at a private airstrip in Centre at about 0700. According to the operator, the pilot was performing a pull up maneuver following a spray pass on a farm field. During the pull up, the aircraft collided with the top of a pine tree. The wind screen shattered, and the pilot was partially blinded due to facial cuts and bleeding. The airplane collided with other trees, then impacted the ground. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the collision with the pine tree. The operator did not comply with 49 CFR Part 830, requiring the completion of NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (Pilot/Operator Report). -