Accident Overview
An agricultural airplane was conducting spray operations over a field containing an antenna tower. During a low spray pass, the aircraft struck a guy wire supporting the tower, leading to the collapse of the tower's upper section and a subsequent crash.
Witness Account
A witness observed the airplane making several spray passes over the field. The witness noted one pass was "very low." Shortly thereafter, the airplane pulled its nose up and banked to the left. The right wing contacted the uppermost guy wire on the north side of the antenna. The wire snapped, causing the upper part of the tower to fall. The witness stated that the impact with the wire disrupted the flight of the aircraft, spinning it to the right. The airplane then impacted the ground and caught fire.
Pilot Information
The pilot had accumulated approximately 15,750 total flight hours. The amount of flight time in the accident airplane was unknown.
Toxicology Findings
Toxicology tests detected 0.071 ug/ml of diphenhydramine in the pilot's blood, and an unquantified amount was found in the urine. Diphenhydramine is an over-the-counter antihistamine. A study on diphenhydramine concluded that it adversely affects a person's ability to maneuver an automobile.