Improperly secured cargo has been found as the cause of a plane mishap that killed a 39-year-old man in Mayo last June, according to a coroner's report.

Richard Rodger died accidentally on June 2, 2007, after he sustained multiple blunt force injuries, says the report, released Friday.

Rodger took off from the Mayo airport at appoximately 6 p.m. with a 2,213-pound load of lumber.

The lumber consisted of six 16-foot rough beams, a section of 16-foot rough lumber, and a section of 10-, 12- and 14-foot finished boards.

The aircraft was a de Havilland DHC-3T Turbo Otter owned by Black Sheep Aviation and Cattle Company, says the report.

The accident occurred when, after lift-off, the aircraft entered an "extreme nose-up attitude and began to rotate to the right," says the report.

Rodger was critically injured when the aircraft stuck the airport ramp.

The report identifies several "significant factors" in the accident.

"The aircraft was loaded in a manner that resulted in the CG (centre of gravity) being aft of the rearward limit ....

The cargo was only secured with one lateral strap and it is likely that the shorter finished boards moved aft during the taxi and take-off roll, which would result in a significant rearward shift of the CG.

"The rearward shift of the CG during the taxi and takeoff resulted in the nose going up, stalling and entering a spin from which the pilot was not able to recover.

The weather at the time of the accident was clear with high visibility, says the report.

Rodger was a licensed commercial pilot with "extensive experience," says the report.

A small post-impact fire was extinguished by first responders to the scene.

Alcohol, prescribed medication and illicit drugs were not factors in the accident.

The autopsy was conducted at the Vancouver General Hospital last June 7.

The investigation was jointly conducted by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, the RCMP and the coroners service.