What happened
The pilot was conducting an agricultural spraying operation over a wheat field located 4.5 miles south of the departure airport. During the mission, the Cessna aircraft crashed in a heavily wooded area situated approximately 1 mile south of the target wheat field.
The investigation
An investigation by a Cessna representative and investigators examined the wreckage to determine the cause of the structural failure. The aircraft was found to be within its allowable weight and center of gravity limits at the time of the accident. Observations noted that the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator had separated from the primary wreckage, and the flaps appeared to be extended one notch.
Detailed examination of the right wing revealed a fracture along the chord line, extending from the leading edge to the rear spar. This break occurred at the rib located inboard of the wing strut attachment point. On the portion of the wing panel aft of the rear spar, 45-degree buckling was observed on both sides of the fracture. Additionally, the top cap of the front spar showed evidence of double bending, with an outboard downward bend and an inboard upward bend. The spar was fractured at the location of the inboard bend. The nature of the fracture, characterized by a 45-degree bevel and the absence of shear lips, was consistent with a tensile overload failure.