Primary finding
Probable cause
Inadvertent stall/mush experienced by the pilot.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The airplane lifted off about halfway down the dirt strip and then 'settled back down.' the left main gear and spray booms contacted cotton crops at the end of the strip, resulting in the collision with terrain. No engine malfunctions were reported.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 30, 1993, at 0815 central daylight time, a Cessna T188C, N2867J, sustained substantial damage near Rockport, Texas, during takeoff. The commercial pilot did not receive injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight. The pilot stated on the Pilot/Operator report that the airplane lifted off about halfway down the 3,000 feet dirt strip and then "settled back down." The left main gear and the spray booms separated from the airplane as they contacted cotton at the end of the strip and the airplane spun around 180 degrees. The pilot further stated that all instruments were in the green arc for the takeoff. -