Incident Overview
An agricultural aircraft departed a private airstrip carrying a load of 150 gallons of water mixed with fungicide and insecticide. After takeoff, the pilot initiated a turn and began climbing over rising terrain. The terrain sloped upward from a river, rising approximately 400 feet.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that he failed to out-climb the terrain. The aircraft subsequently settled in a potato field near the top of the ridge and overturned. According to reports, the load was not jettisoned before impact.
Environmental Conditions
The temperature at the time was about 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and the elevation was approximately 650 feet. No other environmental factors were noted in the report.