Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot misjudged the aircraft's altitude.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot said he misjudged his altitude during a course reversal maneuver and a wing tip entered the cotton plants. The aircraft then cartwheeled into the field.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 16, 1995, at 0950 hours Pacific daylight time, a Grumman G-164B, N8247K, dragged a wing tip during an aerial application turn maneuver and crashed into a cotton field near Lost Hills, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by Vince Crop Dusters, Inc., of Buttonwillow, California, and was applying chemicals to a field under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The aircraft was demolished in the impact sequence. The certificated Airline Transport Pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight originated at Buttonwillow on the day of the accident about 0930 hours as a local area aerial application flight. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions of the aircraft prior to the accident. He said he misjudged his altitude during a course reversal maneuver and one wing tip entered the cotton plants. The aircraft then cartwheeled into the field. -