N60237

On September 13, 1995, at 1430 central daylight time, an Air Tractor 502B, N60237, collided with the ground shortly after takeoff from a private airstrip near Minter City, Mississippi. The aerial application flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the pilot was not injured. The flight departed Minter City, at 1429 hours.

According to the pilot, shortly after taking off from the private airstrip, and after climbing to twenty feet, the airplane began to settle to the ground. The pilot could not establish a positive rate of climb, or arrest the sink rate.

The post-accident examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem or a system malfunction. The pilot also stated that he did not experience a mechanical problem with the airplane. According to the pilot, the ambient temperature was in the mid-nineties when the take off was attempted; the airplane was loaded with 3600 pounds of chemicals and 822 pounds of fuel. The basic empty weight of the aircraft was 4123 pounds. Federal Aviation Regulations allow this airplane to be flown with a gross weight of 9200 pounds, under specific density altitude and temperature requirements. These requirements state that the outside air temperature may not exceed 90 degrees, and operations must be conducted under 1300 feet pressure altitude. The normal maximum gross weight of the aircraft is 8000 pounds; the actual gross weight was 8725 pounds. A review of current weather data disclosed that the outside air temperature was 94 degrees. The pilot stated that he did not calculate the weight and balance for this flight.