What happened
The accident occurred while the aircraft was engaged in an aerial application maneuver. During this operation, the aircraft collided with a farm machinery shed located near the flight path.
The pilot later provided a statement regarding the circumstances leading to the collision. He reported that there were no malfunctions involving the powerplant or the flight controls at the time of the incident. Environmental conditions at the accident site included an ambient temperature of 87 degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in a calculated density altitude of 2,944 feet.
The pilot attributed the loss of control to atmospheric turbulence. Specifically, he stated that an east-northeast wind blowing off a ridge situated just east of the flight path generated the turbulent conditions that contributed to the accident.
The investigation
Investigation efforts focused on reviewing the pilot's account and the environmental data available at the time of the event. No physical examination of the aircraft wreckage or mechanical components was detailed in the provided source material, as the pilot explicitly denied any mechanical failures.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to the accident were identified as the turbulent air conditions caused by the wind interacting with the ridge terrain. The high density altitude due to the temperature may have also played a role in the aircraft's performance envelope during the maneuver.
Safety message
Pilots conducting aerial application operations should be aware of the potential for turbulence generated by wind flowing over nearby ridges or terrain features. Proper planning and situational awareness are essential to avoid collisions with ground obstacles when operating in complex weather conditions.