Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT 502 near Portales, NM — 2017-06-22

Final reportGAA17CA360
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Date
2017-06-22
Location
Portales, NM, USA
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT 502
Registration
N700LA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to fly the airplane under transmission lines while maneuvering at low altitude in high-density altitude conditions, which resulted in subsequent collision with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight and while maneuvering at the destination field in a left turn, he realized that the airplane was not going to be able to climb over transmission lines in his flightpath. He added that he lowered the nose to fly under the transmission lines, but the "airspeed was still too low," and the airplane impacted an embankment, slid across the ground for about 100 ft, and nosed over. The airplane was destroyed by the impact and a postcrash fire. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station 10 nautical miles north of the accident reported, about 5 minutes before the accident, calm wind, temperature 102°F (39°C), dewpoint 43°F (6°C), and barometric setting of 29.77 inches of mercury. The calculated density altitude was 8,200 ft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Koch Chart, considering the surrounding temperature and field elevation, the airplane would have likely experienced a 65% decrease in the normal climb rate.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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