The aircraft was engaged in spraying a defoliant preparation in
mature cotton crops. The pilot had flown a total of 4 hours 30
minutes in a tour of duty which began at 0600 hours EST, was
interrupted at 1000 hours and began again at 1630 hours when
conditions were again suitable for spraying and extended into the
night. The pilot completed the area on which he had been working
and after the final spraying run, flown on an easterly heading, he
began a climbing turn to the right to proceed to the next area, a
paddock lg miles to the south west. After switching off the work
lights and while manipulating the controls in the turn, the pilot
felt a momentary snag of the aileron control and he switched on the
cockpit lights and looked down at the floor for possible loose
objects. After a few seconds, satisfied that all was in order, he
switched off the cockpit lights and attempted to level the aircraft
on a southerly heading. Almost immediately, and before he had
regained outside visual reference, the aircraft struck the ground,
25 degrees nose down and 5 degrees left wing down on a heading of
120 degrees. The undercarriage collapsed and the aircraft slewed to
rest 110 feet from the point of first impact. Fire broke out
immediately and the pilot, who was otherwise uninjured, suffered
burns while evacuating the aircraft.
