19960820023449A

Aircraft took off, lost power, made emergency landing. Damage to fuselage and wings. (.4)the pilot stated that during the takeoff roll from his 3,000 foot dirt airstrip, he noticed that the airspeed was slower than normal. After dumping a small amount of wheat seed, the airspeed 'became normal' and the airplane climbed to about 75 feet AGL in a shallow left turn. Approximately one mile north of the strip, the airplane over flew a heavily watered milo field, and it began to descend. The pilot stated that he lowered the nose and again 'dumped wheat seed for approximately 750 feet,' but the airplane continued to descend. The pilot reported that 'the airplane stalled approximately 15 feet above the ground' and subsequently impacted the ground. In preparation for the aerial spreading of wheat seed, the hopper was loaded with seed, and the airplane was serviced with about 40 gallons of fuel. During the investigation, a weight and balance calculation was made using figures provided by the operator. The calculation showed that the airplane was 50 pounds over its maximum gross weight limit of 4,400 pounds. Density altitude was calculated to be 5700 feet. (-23) pilot took off with aircraft loaded in excess of the maximum gross take-off weight limit authorized in the pilot's operating handbook and the aircraft type certificate data sheet. Aircraft's most recent weight and balance calculations incorrectly quoted a max gross take-off weight higher than the approved max gross take-off weight. Aircraft owner was also using wrong POH for the aircraft.