What happened
The agricultural airplane was performing its first flight of the day, carrying a full load of powdered sulfur intended for an aerial application mission. The aircraft had completed a flight the previous day with no discrepancies noted.
Shortly after takeoff, while the pilot was executing a left turn, the aircraft experienced a partial loss of engine power. In response to the power loss, the pilot initiated a right bank to maneuver the aircraft toward an open field for an emergency landing.
The airplane made a hard landing in the field and bounced back into the air. During this first bounce, the aircraft caught fire and underwent a 180-degree rotation. The airplane subsequently struck the ground a second time. The pilot was not injured and successfully exited the aircraft, but the airplane was destroyed by a post-impact fire.
According to the chemical manufacturer, the powdered sulfur dust compound used in these aerial application operations is classified as a moderate fire hazard.