Summary
The pilot was manager-agent for an agricultural company. His commercial licence carried an endorsement
for the aircraft type, but he did not hold an agricultural rating. He regularly carried out ferry, inspection
and spray calibration flights in this aircraft and he had completed some preliminary training towards an
agricultural rating. The rated pilot who normally carried out the spraying operations for the company was
on vacation. On the evening before the accident the pilot accepted a telephoned request from a farmer to
inspect an area of cane to determine its suitability for spraying. On the following morning the pilot loaded
the aircraft with chemical and flew to the canefield where the farmer was working. After a superficial
inspection of the area he commenced spraying. On the first run the aircraft entered the top of the cane crop.
The pilot was unable to regain control and the aircraft crashed into an adjacent field. Fire broke out
immediately and the aircraft was destroyed. The pilot suffered severe burns.
