Accident Summary
A single-engine aircraft departed from a farm strip at 1325 local time for a local topdressing mission, carrying 712 kilograms of lime. Fifteen minutes later, while flying at low altitude in a cul-de-sac, the pilot encountered difficulties in gaining height. The aircraft made a turn, struck a tree, crashed in flames, and came to rest inverted. The aircraft was destroyed by a post-crash fire, and the pilot, Kenneth Simpson, was killed.
Probable Cause
The accident was caused by the failure of the load to discharge from the hopper when the jettison was operated, depriving the aircraft of the necessary increase in performance to escape from the cul-de-sac. The failure of the hopper to jettison was caused by compounding of the lime content.
Findings
- Structural or engine failure did not occur.
- A decrease in climb performance occurred on the final flight due to inadvertent overloading of the hopper and change in wind conditions.
- The load failed to discharge when the jettison was operated.