Status:	Final
Date:	31 MAR 2001
Time:	12:15
Type:	de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter
Operator:	Bishop Aviation
Registration:	N120BA
C/n / msn:	115
First flight:	1956
Total airframe hrs:	6633
Engines:	1 Garrett TPE331-10-511
Crew:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Passengers:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 21
Total:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 22
Airplane damage:	Substantial
Airplane fate:	Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:	Decatur-Bishop Airfield, TX (United States of America)
Phase:	Initial climb (ICL)
Nature:	Parachuting
Departure airport:	Decatur-Bishop Airfield, TX, United States of America
Destination airport:	Decatur-Bishop Airfield, TX, United States of America

Narrative:
Struck trees and terrain 250 yards east of the runway following a loss of control during the takeoff/initial climb from the north runway at the private Bishop Airfield. The airplane was carrying parachutists for a local sky-diving jump from 13,000 feet msl.

PROBABLE CAUSE: ""The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff/initial climb. Contributing factors were the pilot's exceeding aircraft weight and balance limits and the dust devil."

Sources:
» NTSB