Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot failed to maintain obstacle clearance.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that while spraying a potato field, he was looking at his position relative to a tree line. He then shut off the spray system and started a pull-up at the end of the field. The aircraft pitched up initially, then toppled forward striking the ground with the right wing tip and the nose of the airplane. It then cartwheeled and rolled over, sliding to a stop, inverted.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 28, 1995, at 0840 central daylight time, a Schweizer G164B, N36316, operated by Peterson Aerial Spraying, was destroyed when the airplane cartwheeled after a wingtip hit the vegitation. The commercial pilot reported no injury. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight departed a private airstrip near Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that while spraying a potato field, he was looking at his position relative to a tree line. He then shut off the spray system and started a pull-up at the end of the field. The aircraft pitched up initially, then toppled forward stricking the ground with the right wingtip and the nose of the airplane. It then cartwheeled and rolled over, sliding to a stop, inverted. -