Rockwell International S 2R N702CB accident near Medicine Lake, Montana

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control and sufficient altitude to clear terrain during a low-altitude maneuver.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he was maneuvering the airplane into a left banking turn after an aerial application. He added that, the next thing that he could remember, was that he could not arrest the airplane's descent and that it was heading toward the ground. The pilot tried to correct the airplane's attitude by pulling up, but the airplane subsequently impacted terrain.

Wreckage examination revealed that the left wing contacted the ground first. Engine examination and component testing did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the pilot did not maintain airplane control and sufficient altitude to clear terrain during the turn.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR14LA198 for the full record.