Accident Overview
A pilot experienced difficulty maintaining airspeed and altitude after taking off from a wet and muddy runway. He closed the throttle and executed a landing in a cotton field, but the aircraft could not stop before striking a ditch.
Previous Takeoff and Load Adjustments
The first takeoff of the flight required an excessive amount of runway. The pilot instructed an assistant to reduce the load by 400 pounds. However, the owner reported that sulfur from previous flights remained in the hopper, and the assistant had not looked inside before adding more sulfur for this flight. Additionally, the pilot stated that he did not visually verify the quantity of the load before starting the takeoff.
Takeoff and Impact
During the takeoff roll, engine RPM and manifold pressure were normal. The aircraft continued to the end of the runway, where it struck a berm and became airborne in a nose-high attitude. After the accident, the hopper was found to be nearly full.