Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the high temperature and tailwind.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The 1,034-hour commercial pilot departed the airport to make an agricultural application. During the initial climb, the pilot initiated a left turn and when the airplane encountered a tailwind the airplane, loaded with fertilizer, began to "settle." Sufficient altitude was not available for the pilot to arrest the descent rate prior to ground impact, so the pilot elected to perform a forced landing into a cornfield. The airplane nosed over during the forced landing and came to rest in the inverted position. The pilot was able to egress the airplane without injuries. An automated weather reporting station at the airport reported the local temperature as 93 degrees Fahrenheit.
Source record
Factual narrative
The 1,034-hour commercial pilot departed the airport to make an agricultural application. During the initial climb, the pilot initiated a left turn and when the airplane encountered a tailwind the airplane, loaded with fertilizer, began to "settle." Sufficient altitude was not available for the pilot to arrest the descent rate prior to ground impact, so the pilot elected to perform a forced landing into a cornfield. The airplane nosed over during the forced landing and came to rest in the inverted position. The pilot was able to egress the airplane without injuries. An automated weather reporting station at the airport reported the local temperature as 93 degrees Fahrenheit.