Accident Sequence
A pilot performing an aerial application flight to a corn field reported that the field had a tree line running west to east on the north side and another tree line running north to south on the east end. The pilot was making application passes from east to west, starting at the south side and progressing northward toward the tree line with each pass. During the second-to-last spray pass, while heading west, the pilot came over the east end tree line and descended to 5 to 10 feet above the crop. Approximately 300 feet into the field, the airplane began to descend rapidly, and the pilot pitched the nose up. The descent rate continued, and the airplane began to lose airspeed. The landing gear struck the corn, the airplane impacted terrain, and came to rest inverted.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that he noticed wind speeds increased to about 10 to 12 mph during the flight. He believed a combination of descending air that rolled over the north line of trees, wind shear, low altitude flying, and a reduced margin of error for the proper application of pesticide caused the accident. The pilot also stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage.
Weather Information
A weather station located about 3 miles northeast of the accident site, around the time of the accident, reported a temperature of 85.3°F, a dew point of 68.3°F, and wind from 293° at 6 mph, gusting to 8 mph.