What happened
During its 64th mission of the day, a Fletcher was performing a topdressing run along a ridge adjacent to the airstrip. An observer on the ground noted the aircraft flying alongside the ridge before seeing a plume of superphosphate dust emerge from behind the terrain. Upon investigating the area, the observer discovered that the engine noise had stopped and found the wreckage of the aircraft.
The impact was severe enough to destroy the airframe, though no fire was reported at the scene. The crash resulted in one fatality (the pilot). The sequence of events suggests the aircraft was performing a cleanup maneuver across the end of the ridge. While executing a steep left-hand turn of approximately 270 degrees, the port wing tip made contact with a spur extending from the ridge.
This contact caused the aircraft to pivot around the wing tip, leading to a heavy nose impact against the slope. The force of the collision caused the engine to detach from the airframe. Following this, the aircraft fell roughly 15 meters in a level orientation into a hollow located beyond the spur, sliding backward for several meters before coming to a complete stop.
Findings
Investigations into the wreckage revealed no mechanical failures or defects present prior to the impact. The engine was confirmed to be producing power at the time of the accident. Weather conditions were favorable, characterized by good visibility and only a light breeze with no low-lying clouds. The primary factor in the accident was that the pilot misjudged the necessary turning radius during a steep maneuver, leading to the collision with the hillside.