Accident Sequence
A pilot had been spraying a field for about one hour and was on the final pass when the aircraft struck a fiberglass whip antenna. The owner, who was also serving as the flagger, had warned the pilot via two-way radio to watch out for a standpipe and the antenna; the pilot acknowledged the warning. According to the owner, the aircraft appeared high enough to clear the antenna during the last pass. In the vicinity of the antenna, the aircraft was seen to pull up steeply, roll to the right, then descend and impact the ground.
Crash Site and Wreckage
The aircraft crashed approximately 125 feet beyond the antenna. The whip antenna, located about 75 to 85 feet above ground level, measured about 1 inch in diameter at its base and tapered to very thin at the top. Approximately 12 feet had separated from the top of the antenna. After impact, the aircraft burned and was demolished. No preimpact malfunctions or failures were found during the investigation.
Pilot Outcome
The pilot died approximately 10 minutes after being removed from the burning aircraft.