Primary finding
Probable cause
A total loss of engine power while maneuvering for undetermined reasons.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was beginning his second aerial application run of the day and reported that he had just entered a 45 degree turn when he "heard the engine blow and saw smoke", the airplane then began to "drop like a rock". The wing struck the ground first followed by the propeller, the right main tire, right wingtip and the tail. There was substantial damage to both wings, the empennage, and the tail surfaces. The loss of engine power was undetermined.
Source record
Factual narrative
The 3,630 hour commercial rated pilot was beginning his second aerial application run of the day and had just entered a 45 degree turn when he "heard the engine blow and saw smoke", the airplane then began to "drop like a rock". The low wing turboprop struck the ground first with the propeller, then the right main tire, the right wingtip and the tail. There was substantial damage to both wings, the empennage, and the tail surfaces, but no injuries to the pilot, who was the only occupant. The loss of engine power was undetermined. Weather reported at the time of the accident was 7 miles visibility, with broken clouds at 4,500 feet, westerly winds at 4 knots, with a temperature of 82 degrees and dew point of 70 degrees.