Accident Sequence
The agricultural airplane was conducting its first flight of the day, carrying a full load of sulfur for an aerial application. After takeoff, the pilot initiated a left turn and subsequently experienced a partial loss of engine power. The pilot then banked the airplane to the right in an attempt to land in an open field.
During the landing, the airplane touched down hard and bounced back into the air. Following the initial bounce, the airplane simultaneously caught fire and began rotating 180 degrees. It then struck the ground again, after which the pilot exited the aircraft.
Aircraft and Cargo Information
The airplane had flown the previous day with no discrepancies noted. It was loaded with powdered sulfur dust, which the chemical manufacturer described as a moderate fire hazard when used in aerial application operations. The airplane was destroyed by a post-impact fire.
Probable Cause
No probable cause was explicitly stated in the investigation source.