Incident Summary
An aircraft collided with a berm dam during takeoff and subsequently cartwheeled into a rice field. The accident occurred on a takeoff where the aircraft was carrying a heavier than usual load of fertilizer. According to the pilot, increasing air temperatures made it clear that the aircraft would not be able to climb successfully, prompting a decision to jettison the load.
Pilot Actions
The pilot initiated a load jettison to reduce weight, but the dump gate was small, preventing the rapid release of the fertilizer. Before the jettison could take full effect, the landing gear struck a dirt bank. This impact caused the aircraft to nose down, leading to the cartwheel into the adjacent rice field. The pilot also noted that the wind shifted during the takeoff, though the extent of its influence was not specified.
Sequence of Events
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft lifted off but encountered performance issues due to the heavy fertilizer load and rising temperatures. The pilot recognized the situation and began dumping the load. However, the small dump gate delayed the weight reduction. As the aircraft continued, its landing gear struck a dirt bank, which tripped the aircraft and caused it to nose downward. The aircraft then cartwheeled into the rice field, coming to rest after the collision with the berm dam.