Accident Overview
A commercial pilot, holding 9,100 hours of flight experience, was conducting a departure with the aircraft fully fueled (80 gallons) and carrying a load of 2,250 pounds of fertilizer. The departure was made on a 2,600-foot long by 20-foot wide paved runway with a 10 mph tailwind from the downwind direction.
Departure and Initial Events
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft's main landing gear struck the top of a levee located just beyond the departure end of runway 22. In response, the pilot lowered the aircraft's nose and flew in ground effect, aiming to gain sufficient speed to clear a set of powerlines. The pilot successfully flew "up-and-over" the powerlines.
Subsequent Handling and Descent
After clearing the powerlines, the aircraft began to settle. The pilot decided to release the fertilizer load and initiated a shallow turn into the wind. Despite these actions, the aircraft continued to settle.
Attempted Landing and Impact
The pilot then elected to land on a dirt road. However, during the approach, the aircraft struck some trees and an electric wire. This caused the aircraft to pitch down and subsequently impact the ground.
Environmental Conditions
The density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 1,964 feet.