What happened
The incident occurred during an agricultural crop-spraying operation. The pilot was engaged in the process of applying solution to fields when he initiated a turn. During this maneuver, the pilot looked into the cockpit to verify the remaining amount of spray solution.
Upon looking back up at the terrain, the pilot realized that the aircraft had descended too low to safely complete the turn and avoid obstacles. In an attempt to recover, the pilot advanced the throttle to full power and attempted to pull the nose of the aircraft upward. However, the aircraft was unable to gain sufficient altitude and stalled. The aircraft subsequently collided with trees in the vicinity.
The investigation
Post-accident examination focused on the sequence of events described by the pilot. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was operating at a low altitude during a critical phase of flight. The mechanical condition of the aircraft was consistent with the reported stall and impact, with no evidence of pre-impact mechanical failure detected.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this accident was the pilot's decision to look into the cockpit while flying at a low altitude. This action resulted in a loss of situational awareness regarding terrain clearance. The subsequent attempt to recover from the stall at such a low height proved unsuccessful, leading to the collision with trees.
Safety message
Pilots conducting low-level agricultural operations must maintain strict visual scanning procedures. Diverting attention from the outside environment during critical phases of flight, particularly when maneuvering near obstacles, significantly increases the risk of controlled flight into terrain. Maintaining adequate altitude and airspeed is essential to allow for recovery from unexpected stalls.