What happened
The aircraft was engaged in aerial application operations when it collided with a tree. According to the pilot's account, the operational area was an orchard characterized by specific boundary features: a powerline at one end and a row of leafless trees at the opposite end. During the spraying process, the pilot overlooked one of the taller boundary trees located at the edge of the orchard. The aircraft struck this tree, which resulted in immediate mechanical damage.
The investigation
The collision with the tree punched a hole in the oil cooler. This structural failure necessitated an immediate change in flight operations. Due to the compromised mechanical integrity of the engine cooling system, the pilot was forced to execute an off-airport landing to ensure safety.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the incident was the pilot's failure to account for all boundary obstacles during the low-level spraying operation. Specifically, the taller boundary tree was not identified or avoided in time. The resulting damage to critical engine components directly led to the emergency landing situation.