What happened
During an aerial mission intended to control grasshopper populations, a flight crew was operating at a low altitude near Sheridan. While executing a 45-degree turn as part of their spraying pattern, the aircraft type experienced a stall. This led to a spiral descent that resulted in a high-impact crash and subsequent fire. The accident resulted in two fatalities, as both members of the crew perished in the impact.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified that the aircraft entered a stall while the crew was attempting a turnaround within a blind canyon. Several contributing elements were noted during the inquiry, including:
- The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during the maneuver
- Poorly judged in-flight decisions
- Insufficient preparation prior to the flight
- The challenging nature of the hilly terrain