What happened
The incident occurred during an aerial application instructional flight involving a commercial-rated student pilot. The pilot was conducting agricultural spraying operations when the aircraft completed a swath run. Following this pass, the pilot initiated a turn to reverse direction for the next leg of the operation.
During this low-altitude maneuver, the aircraft entered a stall condition at approximately 200 feet above ground level (AGL). Due to the critically low altitude, the pilot was unable to execute a full recovery from the stall. The aircraft subsequently settled into a plowed field nearby.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight dynamics during the turn and the subsequent stall. Analysis confirmed that the stall occurred at an altitude insufficient for recovery. The physical evidence indicated the aircraft came to rest in a prepared agricultural area, consistent with the operational context of the flight.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the inability to recover from a stall due to low altitude. The pilot's decision to perform a directional reversal at such a low height left no margin for error or recovery time. The aircraft sustained substantial damage upon impact with the ground.