CHAMPION 7KCAB — Oak Ridge, LA

What happened

The private pilot and instructor were practicing aerial spraying passes and turns associated with agricultural (ag) operations when the airplane stalled and collided with trees and terrain. Data downloaded from the onboard GPS revealed that after departure, the airplane flew direct to an intended practice area and conducted nine aerial spray passes. Each pass ended in an "ag turn" in the opposite direction. After the ninth pass, the airplane began the "ag turn" and entered a climbing left turn. The airplane then entered a climbing right turn to an altitude of 208 feet above ground level and slowed to a ground speed of 65 mph before the data ended at the location of where the airplane came to rest. The airplane impacted terrain in a steep, nose-down attitude consistent with a stall/spin. The private pilot had recently completed his instrument training with the instructor and had just started the Agricultural Aviation Basic Operations course with the flight school. The instructor was not an agricultural pilot and had no experience with aerial applications. As such, he was only authorized to provide tailwheel instruction in the airplane and ground school instruction on how to use a GPS when spraying and how to do an ag turn. It was unknown why the instructor and private pilot were practicing ag turns and spray passes in the airplane. Examination of the airplane found no preaccident mechanical discrepancies that would have precluded normal operation.

Postaccident toxicology testing indicated that the private pilot recently used marijuana and hydroxychloroquine, both of which would have been impairing at the levels found. Although the instructor also tested positive for several medications, it could not be determined if they contributed to the accident.

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.