Incident Overview
A pilot conducting aerial application operations reported that while spraying a mature wheat field, a sudden gust of wind struck the airplane. The event occurred as the pilot completed the final pass and flew westward along steep north-facing hillsides.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot's account, during the last pass over the field, a strong gust of wind impacted the aircraft. The left wing subsequently dropped into the wheat crop. The airplane then spun and cartwheeled through the wheat field before coming to rest.
Damage Assessment
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage (tail section) of the aircraft. The extent of damage was noted in the pilot's report.
Mechanical Status
The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine prior to the accident. No other contributing factors were mentioned in the report.