Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot-in-command's failure to abort the takeoff when the aircraft accelerated slowly. Contributing to the accident was the over loading of the aircraft by ground personnel and the failure of the pilot-in-command to verify the loading of the aircraft.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot did not check the amount of fertilizer that was loaded by ground personnel. During the takeoff roll the aircraft accelerated slowly. The pilot began to dump the fertilizer and continued the takeoff roll. When the aircraft reached the end of the runway it lifted off, cleared a ditch and then touched down in a rice field where it nosed over.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 13, 1995, about 1730 central daylight time, a Cessna T188C, N2119J, registered to Cane Lake Aero, Inc., over ran the runway and nosed over during takeoff, while on a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated he did not check the amount of fertilizer that was loaded on the aircraft by ground personnel before takeoff. During the takeoff roll the aircraft accelerated slowly. About halfway down the runway he began to dump the fertilizer. When he reached the end of the runway he forced the aircraft into the air to clear a ditch. The aircraft then touched down in a rice field past the ditch and nosed over. -