Accident Narrative
During an agricultural chemical application flight over a cotton field, the aircraft collided with an irrigation standpipe. The pilot indicated that the flight was conducting the final pass in an easterly direction. The sun had recently risen, and its rays reflected off a clear plastic crop cover situated adjacent to the standpipe. This glare reduced visibility straight ahead, making it difficult to see the obstacle. The pilot reported sighting the standpipe at the last instant and attempted to evade it by pulling the aircraft upward. Despite this maneuver, the aircraft struck the standpipe. Following the impact, the pilot executed an emergency landing, during which the aircraft overturned and came to rest inverted.
Post-Accident Examination
No mechanical anomalies were identified with the aircraft during the subsequent inspection. The aircraft's systems and structure were found to be in normal operating condition prior to the accident.
Environmental Conditions
According to a computer-generated Sun/Moon astrological program, at the time of the accident the sun's magnetic bearing was 60.7 degrees, and its elevation above the horizon was approximately 14.4 degrees. The combination of the low sun angle and the reflective surface of the plastic crop cover created a glare that hindered the pilot's forward vision.