Accident Overview
On October 27, 2016, at approximately 1235 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B single-engine airplane, registration N8525G, sustained substantial damage following a collision with terrain during maneuvering near Hereford, Texas. The aircraft was operated by Wilbur Ellis Air, LLC, based in Huron, South Dakota, under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no visual flight rules flight plan had been filed. The pilot was seriously injured in the accident.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot, he was executing a right turn while flying a circular swath to "trim-up" the outside edges of a center-pivot irrigated cotton field. During the maneuver, the right wingtip "got too far into the cotton crop," resulting in a loss of control. The airplane subsequently impacted the terrain and cartwheeled before coming to rest upright.
Damage
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. The propeller and engine were impact-separated from the airframe. Additionally, the fuselage, empennage, both wing spars, and all flight control surfaces sustained significant damage. A fuel leak was observed at the scene, but there was no post-impact fire.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, weather conditions were recorded by the KHRX Automated Surface Observation System at Hereford, Texas, approximately 5 miles northeast of the accident site. The wind was from 180 degrees at 7 knots, visibility was 10 miles, and the sky was clear of clouds. The temperature was 24 degrees Celsius, with a dew point of 10 degrees Celsius. The altimeter setting was 30.33 inches of mercury.