What happened
During an aerial application flight, the airplane collided with trees measuring approximately 50 feet in height located at the departure end of a swath run. A witness observed the airplane clip the tops of these trees and continue along its original heading before crashing into an adjacent field. The impact resulted in a post-impact fire that completely destroyed the aircraft.
The investigation
A thorough examination of the wreckage was conducted to determine the cause of the accident. Investigators found no evidence of pre-impact mechanical problems or malfunctions with the airplane's systems. The absence of disclosed mechanical issues during the wreckage examination suggests that the failure was not due to a technical defect in the aircraft prior to the collision.
Findings
The primary factor leading to the destruction of the airplane was the collision with trees during the low-altitude aerial application operation. The witness account confirms the initial contact with the tree tops, which likely compromised the structural integrity of the aircraft, leading to the subsequent crash and fire in the nearby field.