N9957J

On July 15, 2000, at 1556 central daylight time, a Cessna T188C, N9957J, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when the aircraft failed to clear the terrain on the takeoff from a private field near Rock Dell, Minnesota. The flight was operating under the provision of 14 CFR Part 137, and was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injures. The local, aerial application flight was originating at the time of the accident.

In a written statement, the pilot stated, "took off from Austin at 3:30. Went to farm Hay field landed. Loaded plane with chemical (160 gal.) to spray a soybean field across the road. On the takeoff run got airborne but couldn't clear hill at end of field. Wind had died by then. Dumped part of the load but not soon enough. Tried to land in the field going up hill. Dirt was soft and plane veered left and nosed over and stopped."

Weather at Rochester, Minnesota, reported at 1354, gave winds as 040 degrees at 6 knots. Winds reported at 1454 were 080 degrees at 8 knots. Winds reported 2 minutes prior to the accident were 060 degrees at 6 knots. Winds reported at 1654 were 090 degrees at 5 knots.