What happened
The accident occurred at approximately 1700, roughly two and a half hours before sunset. The pilot was engaged in agricultural spraying operations, following an east-west pattern across a field. A 115,000-volt power line, running north-south, was located along the eastern boundary of the area being sprayed.
After completing a spray run toward the east, the pilot attempted to turn the aircraft to a westerly heading to re-enter the field. During this maneuver, the airplane made contact with a power transmission wire and a static wire, severing both. Following the contact, the aircraft impacted the ground approximately 500 feet west of the power line. The impact was followed by a fire that completely consumed the airplane.
Findings
Toxicological analysis performed on a blood sample revealed a cyanide concentration of 4.23 ug/ml, which investigators determined was likely a consequence of the post-crash fire. Testing for alcohol, drugs, and carbon monoxide returned negative results.