Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inability to maintain altitude after encountering a downdraft.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was over flying a field in preparation for a spraying run when a rain shower occurred. The pilot stated a microburst was encountered and he dumped the chemical load in an attempt to maintain altitude. The airplane descended from an altitude of approximately 400 feet to impact with the terrain. A surface weather report issued 25 minutes after the accident from the broken bow airport, 19 miles north-northeast of the accident site, reported virga south-southwest of the airport.
Source record
Factual narrative
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