Accident Details
According to the pilot, the accident occurred after takeoff from a grass strip. He stated that it was the fourteenth or fifteenth takeoff that day, with the same load and fuel quantity as previous flights. After lift-off, the airplane did not accelerate as usual and began to sink. The pilot then attempted to dump the 3100 pounds of ammonium nitrate being carried. Once the doors opened, the airplane stalled and collided with the ground, which was a corn field with plants approximately six feet tall.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that before he could reach the power lever, the airplane started turning slightly to the right, and then the left landing gear failed. No mechanical problems were reported by the pilot. He believed that light and variable wind, combined with high temperature, contributed to the failure of the airplane to climb.
Ambient Conditions
The ambient conditions at the time of the accident included high temperature, high density altitude, and high gross weight of the airplane.