On July 12, 1993, a Piper PA-25-235 (registration N8906L) operated by Rufener Spraying Service was involved in an aviation accident near Clarence, MO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: IS THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE TREES AT THE END OF THE FIELD TO BE SPRAYED. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An agricultural aircraft was damaged after striking a tree while attempting to start an ag-turn, resulting in a controlled crash landing in a pea field.
Incident Details
After surveying the field for obstacles, the pilot completed an agricultural run at approximately 105 miles per hour. The pilot then shut off the spray booms before making the required change in attitude to exit the field. While looking over the right wing root to ensure that a tree had been cleared, enabling the start of an ag-turn, the pilot heard a sound similar to a saw blade in a saw mill. Looking forward, the pilot saw the branches and leaves of the tree, which he thought he had cleared by 10 feet or more, being slung from the propeller.
Landing and Damage
The aircraft subsequently slid to a stop in a pea field during a controlled crash landing. The landing gear, hopper, cowling, propeller, wings, and bottom skin were damaged.