Accident Summary
An agricultural flight ended in a stall and spin accident while the pilot was dispensing a half load of the herbicide Prowl to a 40-acre field. The flight originated from a private airstrip. The pilot sustained serious injuries in the crash. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the throttle lever was in the full forward (open) position, while the propeller lever was in the full aft (feather) position.
Witness Account
According to a witness, the aircraft lifted off and appeared to be in normal flight when the nose began to rise. The airplane continued to climb to approximately 350 feet, then stalled and entered a spin to the left. The witness reported that the aircraft then fell straight down and impacted the ground in a slight nose-down and left-wing-down attitude.
Wreckage Examination
Post-accident examination of the wreckage established continuity to all flight controls. The throttle lever was found in the full forward (open) position, and the propeller lever was found in the full aft (feather) position.
Pilot Information
The pilot, who sustained serious injuries, was not using his shoulder harness and was not wearing a helmet during the flight.