N57831

On August 20, 1996, at 1400 central daylight time, a Piper PA-36-300, N57831, registered to and operated by Boyd Spraying Service as a Title 14 CFR Part 137 flight impacted terrain following a loss of control during initial takeoff climb near Hale Center, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated at the time of the accident.

On the enclosed Pilot/Operator Report, and during interviews, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that he had conducted aerial applications flights from the 3,000 foot dirt airstrip throughout the day. In preparation for the current flight, the wheat spreader was installed on the aircraft, the hopper was loaded with wheat seeds and the airplane serviced with about 40 gallons of fuel. This was the first takeoff of the day with the wheat spreader installed. During the takeoff roll, the pilot noted that the "airspeed was slower than normal." After dumping a "small amount" of wheat seed, the airspeed "became normal" and the airplane climbed to about 75 feet AGL in a shallow left turn. The pilot added that approximately a mile north of the airstrip, the airplane over flew a heavily watered milo field, and the airplane began to descend. The pilot further stated that he lowered the nose and again "dumped wheat seed for approximately 750 feet"; however, the airplane continued to descend. The pilot reported that "the airplane stalled approximately 15 feet above the ground" and subsequently impacted the ground.

Weight and balance calculations were performed using figures provided by the operator. An estimate of the weight of the airplane at the time of the accident places the airplane 50 pounds above the airplane's maximum gross weight of 4,400 pounds for takeoff.

The pilot reported that thunderstorms were building in the area. The temperature was 84 degrees Fahrenheit and the density altitude was calculated by the investigator-in-charge to be 5,700 feet at the time of the accident.

Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the gear, wings, engine mounts, and firewall sustained structural damage.