Incident Overview
An aircraft conducting aerial application operations on a gravel road veered off course during takeoff. The road was approximately 20 feet wide. As the aircraft accelerated, it swerved to the right, entered a ditch adjacent to the road, and sustained substantial damage.
Pilot Observations
The pilot reported that the right wheel may have become locked during the takeoff roll. However, a subsequent examination of the wheels and brakes found no evidence of brake grabbing or overheating. The aircraft was equipped with spray booms that were located about 2.5 feet above the bottom of the wheels.
Environmental Factors
The area beside the road featured ditches and grass that was approximately 3 feet tall. The pilot initiated the takeoff heading north, and the wind was from the northwest at 5 knots, gusting to 7 knots.
Inspection Results
No mechanical anomalies were discovered in the braking system. The cause of the swerve was not determined from the inspection alone.