What happened
A pilot was conducting a practice aerial application flight, with an instructor observing the maneuvers from the ground. After completing an aerial survey around the perimeter of a practice spray field, the pilot began a left turn. During this maneuver, the instructor observed the aircraft enter a 45 degree nose-down, left wing-down attitude. The aircraft maintained this attitude as it moved behind a line of trees and disappeared from view.
The investigation
An examination of the accident site and the wreckage determined that the airplane had collided with the ground in a left wing and nose-low attitude. Investigators found no mechanical malfunctions occurred prior to the impact.