What happened
The airplane experienced a loss of control during the takeoff phase, ultimately colliding with terrain. The pilot reported that the aircraft was loaded with a full tank of fuel along with a chemical payload at the time of the accident. The takeoff operation commenced from a grass airstrip measuring 2,000 feet in length.
According to the pilot's account, the airplane successfully lifted off the ground and achieved an altitude of approximately 500 feet. Shortly after reaching this height, the aircraft began to settle back toward the surface. Unable to dump the chemical load before impact due to the rapid sequence of events, the airplane descended into a nearby bean field. The aircraft then struck a ditch within the field, resulting in the collision with terrain.
Findings
The investigation highlighted several critical factors contributing to the accident. The primary issue was the loss of control following takeoff. The short length of the grass airstrip and the heavy load of fuel and chemicals likely impacted the aircraft's performance capabilities during the initial climb phase.