Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the ground due to his distraction with programming a global positioning system receiver.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was conducting an aerial application flight; he had just completed an application and was proceeding to another nearby field. He diverted his attention to reprogram the cockpit global positioning system (GPS) receiver and failed to retrim the airplane with nose-up trim. While the pilot was reprogramming the GPS receiver, the airplane entered a shallow descent and impacted the top of a small hill.
Source record
Factual narrative
The purpose of the flight was agricultural aerial application. The pilot pulled off a field to proceed to the next field 3 miles away. He diverted his attention to reprogram the cockpit GPS (Global Positioning System), and failed to retrim the airplane with nose up trim. While the pilot was reprograming the GPS the airplane entered a shallow descent and impacted the top of a small hill.