AO-1990-011T

On the first topdressing flight for the day the take-off run was longer than normal due to a blocked injector in the number 8 cylinder. During the take-off the right wing passed through a six foot tall hedge of dense thistles which bordered the downsloping airstrip for the lowest third of its length. The thistles had not been present when the pilot operated from the airstrip previously. Thistles became entrained between the wingtip and the aerodynamic balance horn, deflecting and jamming the ailerons, causing the aircraft to roll uncontrollably to the right. The aircraft came to rest at the bottom of a steep ravine. The pilot received fatal injuries in the accident.