Incident Overview
A pilot conducting a low-altitude agricultural aerial application flight reported experiencing a glitch in the satellite navigation system. According to the pilot, he attempted to identify the glitch and, while doing so, his attention remained focused inside the cockpit. During this time, he heard and felt corn stalks striking the airplane. Upon looking outside, the pilot observed a slight rise in terrain. He increased throttle and pulled back on the stick, but the airplane descended into the cornfield, yawed to the right, impacted the ground, and came to rest inverted.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations.
Pilot Account
The pilot stated that the distraction caused by the satellite navigation glitch led him to lose situational awareness momentarily. The sequence of events—from the initial glitch to the ground impact—unfolded rapidly, with the airplane ultimately coming to rest inverted in the cornfield.