FTW01LA136 · Grumman-Schweizer G-164B

Prior to departing for the 10 minute flight from the base of operation to the staging strip, the agricultural airplane's fuel tanks were topped off. After arriving at the staging strip, the airplane was loaded with 2,300 pounds of fertilizer. The airplane took off from the 2,900-foot dirt strip to the west with a right quartering tailwind (3-4 knots). After takeoff, while the airplane was turning left, its left wing struck trees. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground in a near inverted, nose low attitude, approximately 3,900 feet from the east end of the air strip. The airplane came to rest upright and was consumed by the ensuing fire. A witness reported observing the accident airplane as it was taking off to the west; however, he did not witness the accident. The witness reported that "the only thing that might have been odd about the takeoff was a slightly longer than normal [roll] out before he broke ground. But not enough concern for me to turn and watch his departure [to the] south." The operator reported that the normal south departure procedure when taking off west was to turn south prior to the trees and go under a set of power lines. The FAA inspector who examined the airplane wreckage, established flight control continuity. An autopsy on the pilot did not reveal evidence of any preexisting disease that could have contributed to the accident, and toxicological tests were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, alcohol, and drugs.

Verbatim NTSB analysis and probable cause from the NTSB dataset