What happened
During a topdressing operation, an aircraft was maneuvering at approximately 300 feet above ground level while turning onto a sowing run. The aircraft encountered a substantial downdraught that caused a reduction in airspeed of at least 5 knots. In an attempt to manage the situation, the pilot moved the control column forward aggressively and turned toward lower terrain while simultaneously activating the load jettison lever.
However, the recovery from the downdraught and the rate of the load dump were insufficient to prevent an impact. The pilot attempted a hard pull-up to avoid hitting rocks in a nearby paddock, but the left wing struck the ground. The impact caused the Fletcher to flip and slide backward until it came to a stop. An instructor flying a second aircraft nearby observed the accident, jettisoned his own load, and landed to assist the pilot.
Findings
Investigation into the accident identified that while meteorological conditions were generally suitable for topdressing, katabatic winds were likely present in the valley following a clear, cool night. A light northwesterly wind may have contributed to this katabatic flow.
The primary cause was the pilot's excessive forward control input combined with a turning flight path, which rendered the load jettison ineffective. Because of this maneuver, approximately one third of the load remained on the aircraft at the time of the crash. The pilot, who had completed training only the previous day, was reportedly focused on avoiding a stall. Following the incident, it was recommended that the pilot undergo further training regarding stall characteristics and speed margins during low-speed maneuvers. Additionally, a recommendation was made to remind agricultural operators of how maneuvering affects jettison performance.