Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from tower guy wires while maneuvering during a low-level aerial application flight.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that, while performing aerial application work at a low altitude, he became distracted by looking at a map and not focused on a nearby tower with guy wires. When the pilot looked up, he realized he did not veer far and high enough away from the tower guy wires. The airplane struck the guy wires and impacted the terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the accident might have been prevented if he had completed a better pre-application briefing.