Accident Details
On August 6, 2013, at 0856 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-36-300 airplane, registration N3789E, operated by Valley Ag Aerial Services, was substantially damaged following ground impact near Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The pilot did not report any injuries. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 for agricultural operations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight departed without a flight plan from a private airfield near San Miguel, New Mexico, at approximately 0830.
Pilot Narrative
The pilot reported that he had been tasked with spraying a small cotton field bisected by a diagonal power line. After completing a spray pass on the north side of the power line, he maneuvered the airplane for a pass on the south side. Due to the presence of the power line and heavy construction equipment near the approach end, the pilot used a steeper-than-normal approach angle. During the pull-up from this pass, the airplane struck a tree at the departure end of the field. The pilot subsequently lost roll control and executed a forced landing, during which the airplane cartwheeled in a grass field. Both wings and the rudder were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures.
Operational Context
The pilot stated that the landowner had made multiple requests to spray the small, tightly confined field. The pilot regretted his decision to accommodate the request, noting that he had sprayed the same field in previous years and was aware of its challenging nature due to size and obstacles.
Fatigue Consideration
The pilot reported a habit of sleeping at least seven hours per night. However, on the night before the accident, his sleep was interrupted five to eight times by a dog he was caring for a friend. Since the start of the spray season in the spring, the pilot had consistently worked about six days per week, averaging four hours of flight time per day during the preceding month. In retrospect, the pilot stated that he was fatigued at the time of the accident.