Accident Summary
An Air Tractor 802A, registered as N8522S and operated by AGviation Inc. of Minot, North Dakota, was substantially damaged when it struck trees and the ground on June 16, 2013, at approximately 0720 Central Daylight Time. The accident occurred during an aerial application flight, which had originated from Minot International Airport (MOT) at about 0700. The pilot was applying the first load of the day, spraying a field using east-to-west passes along the southern boundary. On the final pass, the pilot pulled up over trees and felt a small bump, suspecting the aircraft had struck branches. The airplane then flew straight for one to two seconds before beginning a left roll. Despite the pilot applying full right aileron and full right rudder, the airplane continued rolling left, subsequently striking the ground in a nose-low attitude with an estimated left bank angle of about 100 degrees.
Damage and Injuries
The Air Tractor 802A sustained structural damage to its fuselage and both wings. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, suffered serious injuries.
Investigation
An FAA inspector examined both the accident site and the wreckage. The inspection revealed no mechanical anomalies that could have been a factor in the accident. The pilot reported being well rested, and the flying shift corresponded to his normal working hours. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.