Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during the morning he had flown '10 to 15 loads' off the 2,542-foot dirt airstrip with 'no problems.' He further reported that 'upon becoming airborne and flying approximately 300 feet, the front wheels touched the rice that was planted across the gravel road (due north) from the airstrip.' Contact with the rice 'caused the loss of airspeed.' The airplane struck a rice field levee, nosed over, and came to rest inverted.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 16, 1996, at 1200 central daylight time, a Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A, N163RA, registered to and operated by Addington Ag Air under Title 14 CFR Part 137, was substantially damaged during takeoff near Beedeville, Arkansas. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight and a flight plan was not filed. The pilot reported that, during the morning, he had flown "10 to 15 loads" off the 2,542 foot dirt airstrip with "no problems." He further reported that "upon becoming airborne and flying approximately 300 feet, the front wheels touched the rice that was planted across the gravel road (due north) from the airstrip." Contact with the rice "caused the loss of airspeed." The airplane struck a rice field levee, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. -