Accident Sequence
The pilot of an agricultural airplane was conducting an application flight at low altitude. While executing a turn, the right wing of the airplane struck the crops. The pilot subsequently lost control and was unable to recover before the airplane impacted the terrain.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot's report, he had been referencing charts in an attempt to locate the correct field to spray. During this activity, he lost track of the airplane's altitude. The pilot stated that there were no failures or malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident.
The incident highlights the risks associated with low-altitude maneuvering, particularly when the pilot's attention is diverted from the immediate flight path. The pilot's loss of altitude awareness during the turn led to the wing contacting the crops, causing a loss of control.
Investigation
The investigation into the accident relied solely on the pilot's account. No other sources or data were available. The absence of mechanical or system failures indicates that the accident resulted from the pilot's temporary distraction and subsequent failure to maintain proper altitude awareness during low-level flight operations.