What happened
The pilot was performing aerial application of malathion on cotton crops as part of the USDA Boll Weevil Eradication Program. This flight represented the second application mission of the day.
During the operation, electrical transmission wires were positioned across the western end of the field being sprayed. The pilot maintained radio contact with USDA monitors stationed adjacent to the field throughout the mission. According to these monitors, the pilot had reported no difficulties or problems during the preceding flight segments.
After completing approximately 14 swath runs, the pilot pulled up late, resulting in a collision with one of the static wires located atop the electrical transmission lines. Following the impact, the aircraft struck the ground and caught fire.