Incident Overview
A pilot reported that after spraying approximately half of a soybean field, smoke began to fill the cockpit. The pilot shut off the spray system, turned off the electrical system, and opened the fresh air vents. Observing the tail section, the pilot noted a red glow and smoke emanating from the area near the battery. Concerned that the airplane might catch fire if the flight continued, the pilot decided to perform a forced landing.
Forced Landing and Ground Impact
The landing was made onto a curved dirt road. While attempting to negotiate a turn, the right wing contacted a dirt bank, causing the airplane to veer into a ditch alongside the road. The aircraft sustained damage during this event.
Post-Incident Inspection
Inspection of the airplane revealed that the battery cable was corroded, had shorted out, and was beginning to burn. This likely caused the smoke and glow observed by the pilot during flight.