Sequence of Events
During an agricultural training flight, a pilot operating a Piper Pawnee aircraft was practicing simulated spray runs under the supervision of a certified flight instructor (CFI) on the ground via two-way handheld radio. The aircraft departed with full fuel and 100 gallons of water. According to the CFI, the pilot made a pass into a field from east to west at an altitude of about 15–20 feet, exited to the west, turned 45 degrees left at 150–200 feet above trees, and extended southwest for 4–5 seconds before initiating a right-hand reversal back into the field. While the aircraft was in a right, medium-banked (30-degree) level turn, the CFI diverted his attention to park his truck. Approximately 5 seconds later, he observed a plume of black smoke rising about 100 feet from ground level. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane turn at the end of a field, appear to stall, impact the ground, and burn.
Investigation Findings
FAA investigators found that the hopper was intact and empty of water, with the dump handle in the dump position and water leakage on the ground. The elevator trim was in the nose-down position. Control continuity was established for the elevator, rudder, and ailerons. The seat belt was found locked and attached on the ground inside the cockpit, but the pilot's body showed no evidence of the seat belt or harness being attached. The cockpit framework, inertial reel, and shoulder harness attachment cable were examined at the NTSB Materials Laboratory. The examination revealed that the inertial reel retraction cable failed due to wearing over an undetermined period, after which the remaining wires failed in tensile overstress. There was no evidence that the cable was tied to the frame tube before or at the time of the accident. Three nearly equally spaced marks on the frame tube were suggestive of a series of ties, not an individual tie for holding the separated cable.
Pilot Information
The pilot had first soloed the Piper Pawnee on April 1, 1998, and had logged 3.2 hours in preparation for the subject flight. No records were found indicating additional training in this make/model or category of airplane. At the time of the accident, the pilot had a total of 165 hours of flight time, including 3.3 hours in the Piper Pawnee. The training was conducted by AG-FLIGHT Inc., which was both the owner/operator of the aircraft and the training provider. The company's circular did not specify requirements for a special certificate, minimum flight time, or special experience for applicants. The training program was not certified by the FAA, nor was such certification required.