What happened
The aircraft was engaged in an aerial application maneuver when the pilot decided to deviate from the intended flight path. According to the pilot's statement, the decision to turn away from the field being sprayed was necessitated by the accumulation of insects on the windshield. The density of the bugs was significant enough to impair the pilot's ability to maintain visual reference with the ground.
During this corrective turn, the aircraft's wing made contact with the surface of a nearby lake. The impact caused the aircraft to cartwheel violently across the water. The sequence of events concluded with the aircraft coming to rest submerged under approximately five feet of water.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's loss of visual reference due to insect accumulation on the windshield. This impairment led to a critical error in judgment regarding the timing and execution of the turn away from the spray field. The physical evidence confirmed that the wing struck the lake surface during this maneuver, resulting in the cartwheeling motion and subsequent submersion.
Safety message
This incident highlights the critical importance of maintaining clear visibility during low-altitude operations. Pilots conducting aerial application must ensure that windshield wipers or other cleaning mechanisms are effective, or plan for safe stops to clean the windshield without compromising situational awareness or aircraft control.