Cairo, NE, USA
N9552P
PIPER PA-25-260
The pilot departed from a 2,500-foot private strip on the third of four planned aerial application flights. During the takeoff the pilot noted that the wind had shifted from the northeast to the east, and was about 5 knots. Shortly after takeoff the single-engine airplane began a slow descent. The pilot attempted to correct the problem by turning into the wind while heading to lower ground; however, the airplane continued to descend until it impacted terrain. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane and that the accident could have been prevented by having a lighter load, aborting the takeoff, dumping the load just after takeoff, or dumping the load instead of making a 90-degree turn.
The pilot departed from a 2,500 foot private strip on the third, of four planned aerial application flights. During the take-off the pilot noted that the wind had shifted from the northeast to the east, and was about 5 knots. Shortly after lift-off, the single-engine airplane began a slow descent. The pilot attempted to correct the problem by turning into the wind while heading to lower ground; however, the airplane continued to descent until it impacted terrain. The pilot stated that there were no pre-accident mechanical problems with the airplane, and that the accident could have been prevented by having a lighter load, aborting the take-off, dumping the load just after take-off, or dumping the load instead of making a 90-degree turn.
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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