Incident Overview
According to a written statement from the pilot, the accident occurred while conducting low-altitude sulfur dust applications over a grape vineyard. The pilot had completed two application runs and initiated a third. During this run, he observed that sulfur dust from the previous runs had drifted into his intended flight path. Despite the reduced visibility, he continued the run.
Loss of Visual Contact
As the airplane entered the sulfur dust cloud, the pilot lost all visual contact with the ground. Shortly thereafter, he felt the left wing strike a grape trellis. The impact pulled the airplane downward and to the left.
Post-Impact Sequence
The airplane traveled approximately 150 yards along the tops of the grape trellises before coming to a stop inverted on the ground. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine experienced no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.