THE PILOT WAS ON A SPRAY FLIGHT OVER AN AREA OF SAND HILLS. WHILE DROPPING FLAGS TO HELP DETERMINE THE WIND ON THE SURFACE, HE ENCOUNTERED UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF LIFT. HE APPLIED FULL POWER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER FROM THE MUSHING CONDITION BEFORE HITTING THE GROUND. THE PILOT REPORTED SEVERE TO EXTREME TURBULENCE, A TEMPERATURE OF 85 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, AND BELIEVED THERE WERE DOWNDRAFTS AND UNUSUAL WIND CIRCULATION AMONG THE SAND DUNES.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

Contributing Factors

WEATHER CONDITION..TURBULENCE,CLEAR AIR

Contributing Factors

WEATHER CONDITION..DOWNDRAFT

Contributing Factors

WEATHER CONDITION..HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE

Contributing Factors

TERRAIN CONDITION..MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY

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