What happened
The pilot was engaged in agricultural operations, specifically completing swath runs from east to west across a field. Upon finishing these runs, the pilot turned the aircraft toward the sun in an attempt to trim the eastern side of the field. During this maneuver, the windshield became covered with spray mist, which significantly restricted visibility. Due to the obscured view, the pilot failed to see how close the aircraft was to a power line. The right wing of the aircraft struck the power line, leading to a crash.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the loss of visual reference caused by spray mist on the windshield. This obstruction prevented the pilot from maintaining situational awareness regarding nearby obstacles, specifically the power line. The turn toward the sun likely exacerbated the visibility issues, though the direct cause was the inability to see the infrastructure due to the coating on the glass.
Safety message
Pilots conducting low-level agricultural operations must be aware of the potential for windshield obscuration from spray mist. Regular checks and immediate remediation of visibility restrictions are critical to avoid collisions with terrain or structures.