Accident Details
An agricultural aircraft sustained substantial damage after failing to clear crops during a takeoff from a hay field. The accident occurred when the aircraft, after becoming airborne, could not climb over a hill at the end of the field. The pilot attempted to abort the takeoff and land uphill, but the soft dirt caused the aircraft to veer left and nose over before stopping.
Pilot Statement
According to the pilot's written statement, the flight originated from Austin at 3:30 PM. The pilot landed in a hay field to load 160 gallons of chemical intended for spraying a soybean field across the road. On the takeoff run, the aircraft became airborne but failed to clear a hill at the end of the field. The pilot noted that the wind had died by that time. Part of the load was dumped, but not soon enough. The pilot then attempted to land in the field going uphill, but the soft ground led to the aircraft veering left and nosing over.
Weather Conditions
Weather recorded at Rochester, MN, provided wind information at several times around the accident. At 1354, winds were from 040 degrees at 6 knots. At 1454, winds were from 080 degrees at 8 knots. Two minutes prior to the accident, winds were from 060 degrees at 6 knots. At 1654, winds were from 090 degrees at 5 knots.