Event WPR10CA410

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during an aerial application flight he was spraying a mature wheat field along north facing hillsides. As the pilot finished his last pass he flew west along the steep hillsides. A strong gust of wind struck the airplane and the left wing dropped into the wheat. Subsequently, the airplane spun and cartwheeled in the wheat field before coming to a rest; the fuselage and empennage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine prior to the accident. The pilot reported that during an aerial application flight he was spraying a mature wheat field along north-facing hillsides. As the pilot finished his last pass, he flew west along the steep hillsides. A strong gust of wind struck the airplane and the left wing dropped into the wheat. Subsequently, the airplane spun and cartwheeled in the wheat field before coming to a rest; the fuselage and empennage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine prior to the accident. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-(general)-Response/compensation - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained - C