WATERTOWN, SD, USA
N154T
PIPER PA-18
THE PILOT WAS SPRAYING A SUNFLOWER FIELD NEXT TO AN ALFALFA FIELD THAT WAS BEING IRRIGATED. AS HE PULLED UP FROM HIS THIRD SWATH RUN, HE BEGAN A PROCEDURE TURN-AROUND OVER THE ALFALFA FIELD. DURING THE TURN, THE PLANE ROLLED TO AN INVERTED ATTITUDE, THEN PITCHED DOWN AND CRASHED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TURN WAS MADE DOWNWIND FROM THE IRRIGATION SPRINKLERS. THE HUMIDITY IN THE VICINITY OF THE TURN WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 80%, WHEREAS THE HUMIDITY OVER THE SUNFLOWER FIELD WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 40%. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS 1860 FT AND THE TEMPERATURE AND ALTIMETER SETTING WERE ABOUT 85 DEG AND 30.12, RESPECTIVELY. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURES.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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