Accident Sequence
The pilot was conducting aerial spraying operations over a field, using east-west headings. A 115,000-volt power line ran north-south along the eastern edge of the field. According to an FAA inspector and a witness, the pilot completed a spray run to the east and was turning the airplane to a westerly heading to re-enter the field when the airplane contacted and severed a power transmission wire and a static wire. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground approximately 500 feet west of the power line. A fire erupted following the impact, which consumed the airplane.
Environmental Factors
The accident occurred at about 1700. According to the U.S. Naval Observatory, sunset occurred at 1929 on the night of the accident. Thus, the accident took place about 2½ hours before sunset, during daylight hours.
Toxicology
Toxicological testing of a blood sample from the pilot revealed a concentration of 4.23 µg/ml of cyanide. According to the investigation, this cyanide was likely a result of the fire that consumed the aircraft. The testing was negative for drugs, alcohol, and carbon monoxide.