Aerial Application Airplane Comes to Rest Nose Down After Avoiding Hay Bales During Takeoff

Accident Details

According to the pilot, during an aerial application flight at about 800 feet into the takeoff roll on a gravel airstrip, he turned the airplane to the right to avoid hay bales stacked on the left side of the runway. As the airplane veered right, the right-wing spray boom encountered tall wheat growing adjacent to the runway, causing the airplane to exit the right side of the runway. The airplane subsequently came to rest in a nose-down attitude.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. No other damage was reported.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.