On June 2, 1989, a Piper PA-25-235 (registration N4497Y) operated by Air Ag, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Preston, MD. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain and obstacles during an aerial application flight, which resulted in the main landing gear striking a wheat crop. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During an aerial application flight to spray a wheat field, the pilot flew under power lines. The main gear caught the crop, causing the aircraft to descend and nose over, coming to rest inverted.
What happened
The accident occurred during an aerial application mission intended to spray a field containing a wheat crop that was approximately three to four feet tall. According to the pilot's report, the flight crew was operating under power lines that crossed the field.
While navigating beneath these utility lines, the aircraft's main landing gear struck the wheat crop. This impact caused the aircraft to descend toward the terrain. The aircraft then nosed over and came to rest in an inverted position.
The investigation
No mechanical examination or further investigative findings were provided in the source material regarding the condition of the aircraft prior to the incident.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the aerial application operation conducted at a low altitude. The pilot's decision to fly under power lines while spraying resulted in the main gear contacting the vegetation, which led to the loss of control and subsequent overturning of the aircraft.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain and obstacles during an aerial application flight, which resulted in the main landing gear striking a wheat crop.