Accident Cessna 188T N731MK, Tuesday 8 August 1995

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Date:	Tuesday 8 August 1995
Time:	10:30 LT
Type:	Cessna 188T
Owner/operator:	Eugene Mccormick
Registration:	N731MK
MSN:	18802999T
Engine model:	Continental IO-520D-23B
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Town Creek, AL - United States of America
Phase:	Take off
Nature:	Agricultural
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE AG PILOT HAD BEEN OPERATING FROM A PAVED RUNWAY EARLIER IN THE MORNING, BUT LATER THAT MORNING HE MOVED THE SPRAYING OPERATION TO A WET, SOD AIRSTRIP. REALIZING THAT THE SOD WAS SOFT AND WET, THE PILOT REDUCED THE CHEMICAL LOAD TO ACCOMMODATE THE SOD CONDITION. DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF RUN, THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A SOFT SPOT ON THE RUNWAY AND NEVER OBTAINED FLYING SPEED. THE PILOT JETTISONED THE CHEMICAL LOAD, AND ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE 2150-FOOT RUNWAY INTO AN ADJACENT FIELD. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE WERE REPORTED BY THE PILOT.

Probable Cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CHECK THE RUNWAY CONDITION PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. THE SOFT RUNWAY WAS A FACTOR.

Accident investigation: