Primary finding
Probable cause
The inadvertent stall. A factor was the gust of wind.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
On the downwind turn of an aerial application pass, the pilot lost control of the aircraft and impacted the ground in a field and burned. The pilot stated that he 'pulled back on the stick resulting in a stall.' the pilot also stated that he encountered a gust of wind.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 15, 1994, at 1230 central standard time, a Piper PA-25-235, N8739L, was substantially damaged while maneuvering near Lamesa, Texas. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight. In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot stated that, on the downwind turn of the aerial application pass, he "was at a low airspeed when I got a gust of wind or a whirlwind at which time I pulled back on the stick resulting in a stall". The aircraft impacted the terrain came to rest on a highway and burned. -