What happened
Following a flight to a rural farm airstrip, the aircraft was loaded with a minor quantity of agricultural goods. During the subsequent takeoff attempt, the aircraft encountered several environmental and mechanical challenges. The runway surface was extremely soft, and the aircraft was operating with a quartering tailwind while carrying underslung spreader equipment.
These factors resulted in insufficient performance to achieve lift-off within the runway's boundaries. In an attempt to recover, the cargo was jettisoned. Despite this action, the aircraft impacted a fence and the left wing tip and aileron made contact with the ground. Although the aircraft eventually managed to become airborne, the crew could not maintain effective control, leading to a secondary impact with the ground. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident, and the pilot sustained serious injuries.
Findings
- The combination of a soft runway surface and a quartering tailwind significantly reduced takeoff performance.
- The presence of underslung spreader equipment further degraded the aircraft's ability to climb.
- Insufficient runway length and degraded takeoff performance prevented the aircraft from maintaining controlled flight.