Incident Description
Multiple witnesses observed the aircraft as it approached the accident site. The aircraft was at a low altitude and trailing a heavy volume of spray or smoke. Suddenly, the aircraft changed its course, and the pilot appeared to be attempting to land on a road. Some witnesses reported seeing flames emanating from the engine compartment area, while others indicated that the engine burst into flames while the aircraft was still in flight. As the aircraft turned toward the road, it struck power lines and subsequently crashed. A post-crash fire consumed the aircraft.
Examination of Aircraft Components
Following the accident, an examination of the engine was conducted. The engine had separated from the fuselage during the impact. The examination found no evidence of a fire in the engine, and all hoses were observed to be intact. The wooden hopper door also separated from the fuselage and was discovered along the flight path. The interior side of the hopper door was heavily charred, while the exterior side showed no evidence of fire.
Historical Loading Information
Records from the operation indicated that the aircraft had been loaded with potassium permanganate after sulfur had been transported on a previous flight. The manufacturer of the chemical reported that potassium permanganate is an oxidizer that is reactive with even small amounts of sulfur.