What happened
During an aerial superphosphate spreading mission, the pilot was performing routine agricultural tasks. Having completed roughly 60 similar trips in the area over the preceding two days, the pilot had just finished loading the sixth payload on the morning of the incident. During this flight, the outboard portion of the right wing made contact with powerlines.
The impact caused the right wing to detach from its structural attachment points. Following the separation of the wing, the aircraft descended in a steep, nose-down orientation. The wreckage eventually came to a stop approximately 169 metres away from the site of the powerline strike.
Findings
Investigations into the mechanical state of the aircraft and its systems showed no evidence of technical malfunctions or defects that contributed to the crash. At the moment of impact, the engine was recorded as functioning at high power.
Evidence suggests that the pilot failed to observe or avoid the powerlines during the maneuver. Additionally, safety equipment discrepancies were noted; the pilot was not utilizing a shoulder harness, and an unauthorized modification had been performed on the lap harness. Specifically, the toggle used for the lap harness was rated only for 9 to 12g loads, making it insufficient for the high-stress requirements of agricultural flight operations, which necessitate equipment capable of enduring 25g loads.