Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the wake turbulence from a previous pass.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during the aerial application flight he made the first pass over a field where the wind was light and variable. He then turned around and flew a pass over a tree line and descended "maybe a little low," where he flew the airplane through the wake turbulence from his previous pass. According to the pilot, the turbulence disrupted the "round out" to the field and the airplane's wheels and left wing contacted the corn. The airplane turned sideways, slid backwards, and its empennage sustained substantial damage when it deformed. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the flight.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that during his aerial application flight he had made his first pass over a field where the wind was light and variable. He turned around and flew a pass over a tree line and descended "maybe a little low" where he flew the airplane through the wake turbulence from his previous pass. According to the pilot, the turbulence disrupted the "round out" to the field and the airplane's wheels and left wing contacted the corn. The airplane turned sideways, slid backwards, and it's empennage sustained substantial damage when it deformed. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the flight.