Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that while maneuvering for an aerial application, he observed a ground application operator inside the cab of the ground equipment. He decided to perform a close fly-by over the equipment. During the maneuver, the left main landing gear struck the cab of the ground equipment. After the collision, the pilot elected to return to the airport and landed on the gravel taxiway that parallels runway 30.
Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left main landing gear attachment points. The pilot stated that no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were present that would have precluded normal operation.
Pilot's Assessment
According to the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented had he used better judgment and not performed the close fly-by over the ground application equipment, which was also owned by the operator.