Accident Sequence
The pilot, after completing two application runs, attempted to shorten the racetrack pattern by initiating the inbound turn into a canyon. During the turn, the aircraft was observed to climb clear of the canyon wall near the completion of the turn. At that point, the load was jettisoned. Subsequently, the aircraft descended sharply into a second, narrow canyon just short of the object crop, which was situated on a plateau. The aircraft then impacted terrain.
Impact and Fire
The impact was characterized by high vertical forces and little forward momentum. Following the impact, an intense ground fire consumed the non-metallic structure of the aircraft.
Investigation Findings
No evidence was found of any malfunction or failure in the aircraft structure, systems, or powerplant.