LIBERAL, KS, USA
N8837S
Air Tractor AT-301
While completing the last spraying pass, the pilot made a 270 degree right turn to spray the last area in the field. The pilot said he flew back through his prop wash and lost control of the airplane. The airplane impacted the terrain in a vertical angle.
On July 27, 1996, at 1920 central daylight time (cdt), an Air Tractor AT-301, N8837S, owned and operated by a commercial pilot, was destroyed during a collision with terrain while conducting aerial spraying. The pilot reported serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The flight departed Liberal, Kansas, at 1845 cdt. According to the pilot's written statement, after spraying a field, the pilot made a 270 degree right turn to spray the last area of the field. The pilot stated, "When I reentered the field, I must have flown back through my prop wash causing me to lose control of the aircraft, causing me to hit the ground at a vertical angle."
the pilot did not maintain aircraft control. A factor was a low altitude flight maneuver was performed.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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