Incident Overview
An agricultural airplane impacted a muddy field after the pilot performed an evasive maneuver to avoid power lines. The pilot reported that prior to the incident, the aircraft was carrying 200 gallons of chemicals and 60 gallons of fuel.
Pilot Statement
The pilot stated, "I took off from the airport and went around town. When I was com[m]ing up to a set of power lines I hit an air pocket and didn't have enough altitude to clear the lines so I turned to the east and hit the ground." The pilot clarified that the airplane did not experience a mechanical malfunction.
Sequence of Events
During the flight, the pilot encountered an air pocket while approaching a set of power lines. Unable to maintain sufficient altitude to clear the lines, the pilot initiated a turn to the east. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground, which was described as a muddy field.
Aircraft and Load
The specific aircraft type and registration were not detailed in the report. The pilot noted the load consisted of 200 gallons of chemicals and 60 gallons of fuel at the time of the first run.