Summary
The pilot was operating under the remote supervision of the chief pilot who had marked the section of the field
as suitable for the operation of the aircraft. The distance available for take-off and landing under the prescribed
agricultural operational requirements was 1,400 feet and there was then a distance of 120 feet before a three
foot high fence on the boundary of the field. The pilot was not aware of the exact length of the field nor did he
check the flight manual to assess the aircraft's performance under the conditions. During earlier operations on
the day of the accident the aircraft became airborne about 300 feet from the fence but as the temperature rose
and the wind strength decreased.this distance became less and on the flight before refuelling the aircraft did not
become airborne until about 150 feet from the fence. After adding 22 gallons of fuel and reloading the pilot
realised that the wind was now only light and variable and he began his take-off run from a point 100 feet behind
the previously used commencement point, thus making a total effective length of 1,550 feet. The aircraft did
not become airborne until it was about 50 feet from the fence and the pilot attempted to dump the load but
operated the mechanism incorrectly and the aircraft struck the fence, damaging the tailplane and elevator. The
aircraft remained in the air and subsequently landed safely. According to the performance chart in the
conditions prevailing at the time of the accident the take-off distance requirement was 2,300 feet.
