Background
The accident involved a commercial pilot with 6,500 hours of flight experience operating a radial engine-powered agricultural airplane. The aircraft was equipped with an 800-gallon hopper under a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), and the operator specified a maximum takeoff weight of 11,700 pounds.
Accident Sequence
The pilot was taking off from a private grass airstrip measuring one-half mile in length. The airplane was loaded with sulfides intended for spraying a local field. As the aircraft became airborne, it settled at the departure end of the runway and subsequently impacted a slightly elevated roadway berm that was oriented perpendicular to the departure end.
Pilot's Statement
The pilot reported that he believed he had loaded "too much" sulfides into the hopper, causing the airplane to "stall" just after liftoff. He stated that he did not know his exact takeoff weight at the time of the accident.
Operator Information
According to the operator, the maximum takeoff weight of the airplane was 11,700 pounds, which included the STC for the 800-gallon hopper.