N42022Air Tractor AT-602 · 2009

According to the pilot, while attempting to depart from a turf runway with a third load of fertilizer and ¾’s tab of fuel in each tank, the airplane lifted off the ground and was only one to two feet in the air when it settled back down. The left landing gear struck a berm at the end of the runway that was hidden by tall grass and separated from the airplane. The pilot reduced the weight by dropping the fertilizer and returned to land. The airplane touched down on the right main landing gear and tail wheel and the pilot kept the left wing up as long as possible. The left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.