On September 7, 1982, a Cessna 188B (registration N4877R) operated by Waldo Pepper Spraying, Serv. was involved in an aviation accident near Gibson, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance during a low-level swath application run, attributed to an optical illusion created by a sharp terrain rise blending with crop rows. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A crop duster struck a terrain rise and lost its landing gear during a low-level swath run due to an optical illusion caused by the sharp rise blending with crop rows.
What happened
The pilot initiated a swath application run by approaching the target field at low altitude over tall trees. Immediately beyond the tree line, the terrain featured a distinct seven-foot rise. The pilot reported that this sharp elevation change created an optical illusion, as the rise visually blended with the rows of the crop below. Due to this visual distortion, the pilot failed to flare the aircraft soon enough for a safe landing or go-around.
As a result, the aircraft struck the crop and the terrain. The impact caused the landing gear to shear off completely. Following the strike, the plane slid to a stop on the ground.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance during a low-level swath application run, attributed to an optical illusion created by a sharp terrain rise blending with crop rows.
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