What happened
The accident occurred during the initial phase of flight following a departure from a short, rutted airstrip that had power lines extending across each end. This was recorded as the first loaded departure from this specific location. During the takeoff roll and initial climb, the pilot determined that the aircraft would not be able to clear the power line at the end of the runway.
In an effort to reduce weight and gain altitude, the pilot initiated a procedure to dump the agricultural load. However, the mechanism for releasing the fertilizer did not operate quickly enough to alleviate the weight deficit in time. To manage the trajectory relative to the obstacle, the pilot attempted to turn parallel to the power line. This maneuver placed the aircraft on the downwind leg of the pattern while it was still at a low altitude. Consequently, the aircraft settled into the ground before it could recover or clear the obstruction.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the operational context of the departure and the mechanical response of the jettison system. Investigators examined the condition of the airstrip, noting its short length and rutted surface which likely impacted initial climb performance. The analysis confirmed that the power lines were a fixed obstacle at both ends of the strip.
The investigation also reviewed the timing of the load dump relative to the aircraft's energy state. It was determined that the rate of weight reduction was insufficient to counteract the gravity and drag forces acting on the aircraft during the critical takeoff phase. The decision to turn parallel to the power line while down resulted in a loss of altitude that could not be recovered from given the low airspeed and height above ground.
Findings
Several factors contributed to the accident. The primary issue was the inability to clear the power line during takeoff with a full load. The agricultural jettison system failed to reduce weight rapidly enough to allow for a successful climb or escape maneuver. Additionally, the pilot's decision to turn parallel to the obstacle while on the downwind side of the flight path resulted in the aircraft settling into the terrain. The short and rutted nature of the airstrip likely exacerbated the initial performance deficit.