Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot, he was practicing an aerial application flight over a field and successfully sprayed two lines. Then, while turning back to spray a third line, he“pitched the airplane too nose high." The airplane then "lost speed" and subsequently impacted the ground on a 030-degree heading. Winds, recorded at an airport approximately 1 mile from the accident site, about the time of the accident, were from 150 degrees true at 3 knots. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the airplane.
Source record
Factual narrative
According to the pilot, he was practicing an aerial application flight over a field and successfully sprayed two lines. Then, while turning back to spray a third line, the pilot “pitched the airplane too nose high." The airplane then "lost speed" and subsequently impacted the ground on a 030-degree heading. Winds, recorded at an airport approximately 1 mile from the accident site, about the time of the accident, were from 150 degrees true at 3 knots. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the airplane.