NTSB Factual Report

On July 29, 1994, approximately 1330 Pacific daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N3649Y, was destroyed while engaged in aerial application activities near Connell, Washington. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. No flight plan was filed for the flight, which was conducted in visual meteorological conditions. No ELT was installed in the aircraft.

An FAA inspector who went to the scene of the accident stated that the aircraft had gone straight into the ground. He stated that he found no evidence of mechanical discrepancies, and that the pilot was apparently maneuvering while engaged in spraying activities at the time of the accident. No evidence of a wire strike or impact with an object on the surface was found.

Toxicological testing was conducted by the FAA, with negative results for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol and drugs. An autopsy was performed in Pasco, Washington, by Dr. Homer Harris, at the Bruce Lee Funeral Home, with the cause of death listed as traumatic injuries to the head and neck with positional asphyxia.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE CONDUCTING AERIAL APPLICATION ACTIVITIES.