Incident Overview
An agricultural aircraft conducting an aerial application operation experienced a fire that began in its spray apparatus. The aircraft was tasked with spraying a compound containing sulfur dust. The fire generated heavy smoke that rapidly filled the cockpit.
Sequence of Events
Upon noticing the smoke, the pilot executed a forced landing in the field below. The landing was successful, but the fire did not stop. It continued to spread and eventually engulfed the entire aircraft, leading to its complete destruction.
Investigation Findings
According to the investigation, the pilot did not report any mechanical malfunction or failure prior to the onset of the fire. Despite examination of the wreckage, the specific cause of the fire could not be determined. The source of ignition and the exact sequence of events leading to the fire remain unknown.