What happened
The incident involved a single-engine agricultural aircraft operated by an airline transport rated pilot with extensive experience totaling 20,634 hours. The flight phase began with the aircraft operating at a very low altitude while aligned with Runway 18. This runway is paved with asphalt and measures 5,001 feet in length and 75 feet in width.
After flying along the runway at this low level, the pilot initiated a climbing right turn. However, the maneuver did not result in a sustained climb. Instead, the aircraft entered a steep descending right turn. The descent continued without recovery until the airplane impacted the ground.
The investigation
Following the accident, investigators examined the wreckage and the operational history of the flight. A critical part of the examination was determining whether mechanical failure played a role in the loss of control.
Inspection confirmed that flight control continuity was intact throughout the airframe. There were no anomalies detected with the engine or other major systems. The absence of mechanical issues suggests that the cause of the accident was related to the pilot's control of the aircraft during the low-altitude maneuver rather than a failure of the airplane itself.