Flight Operations
The pilot was conducting east-west passes over a milo field while dispensing parathion. He reported working under high voltage power lines each time he flew past the western edge of the field.
Accident Sequence
On the final pass, the aircraft encountered a dust devil. The pilot felt the aircraft rise as he passed under the power lines. The vertical stabilizer struck the bottom wire, which was approximately 30 to 35 feet above ground level. The impact caused the entire tail section to separate from the aircraft.
Impact and Final Position
After the tail separation, the aircraft impacted the ground about 120 feet east of the power lines. It then slid inverted for an additional 90 feet to the east before coming to rest.