Accident Overview
A witness located approximately one-quarter mile from the accident site reported that an agricultural airplane was spraying fire retardant on an 8,000-acre fire. The observer noted that after dropping the retardant, the aircraft banked "hard to his right." The witness stated, "he [the airplane] was still in his turn or bank when he hit the guy wires of the radio tower." Two loud bangs were heard, followed by the airplane impacting the ground.
Wreckage and Tower Damage
Examination of the wreckage revealed multiple strands of cable among the aircraft debris. The top 80 feet of the 300-foot antenna tower, along with its associated guide cables, were destroyed.[## Mechanical Examination
Investigators found no mechanical discrepancies with the airframe or the engine that would have prevented normal operation of the airplane prior to the accident.
Environmental Conditions
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector noted that visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. However, the inspector added that there was "blowing smoke in the air that may have been a contributing factor."