Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT 502 near Dell, AR — 2014-06-16

Final reportCEN14LA299
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Date
2014-06-16
Location
Dell, AR, USA
Airport
PVT
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT 502
Registration
N9184T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to establish a proper airspeed during takeoff with the airplane near its maximum gross weight in high-density altitude and gusting crosswind conditions.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that on the last flight of the day, the airplane's hopper was almost completely loaded with dry fertilizer material before takeoff and that its takeoff weight was 7,918.83 lbs; the airplane's maximum gross weight was 8,000 lbs. After the fertilizer was loaded, the pilot attempted to depart to the west. During takeoff, the engine was operating at 2,200 rpm (high power), and the airplane got "onto the step," but it did not lift off as expected, so the pilot hit the emergency load dump. The airplane still would not climb, and it subsequently collided with an embankment at the end of the runway, cartwheeled into a field, and then came to rest upright. The pilot reported that he did not notice a change in the engine sound and was confident that the flight controls did not malfunction. The local weather was wind from 170 degrees at 8 knots gusting to 15 knots, and the density altitude was calculated to be 2,377 feet. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the available evidence, it is likely that the pilot rotated the airplane early. It is also likely that the combined effects of the airplane's near maximum gross weight, the high-density altitude, and the gusting crosswind conditions contributed to the airplane's sluggishness when climbing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff due to heavy load near max gross weight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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