Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The 546-hour commercial pilot was ferrying an aircraft on a short flight (approximately 8 miles) from a private airstrip to a different airfield. The pilot reported that shortly after departure, he reduced engine power for cruise flight. The airplane started to lose altitude and before the pilot could stop the descent, the agricultural airplane impacted a corn field. The pilot received minor injures during the mishap and the airplane came to rest in the inverted position.
Source record
Factual narrative
The 546-hour commercial pilot was ferrying an aircraft on a short flight (approximately 8 miles) from a private airstrip to a different airfield. The pilot reported that shortly after departure, he reduced engine power for cruise flight. The airplane started to lose altitude and before the pilot could stop the descent, the agricultural airplane impacted a corn field. The pilot received minor injures during the mishap and the airplane came to rest in the inverted position.