Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT-802 near Herington, KS — 2023-09-28

Final reportCEN23LA425
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Date
2023-09-28
Location
Herington, KS, USA
Airport
HRU
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT-802
Registration
N445HA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The design of the spray valve control lever, which restricted the range of the left rear rudder and brake pedal and resulted in a loss of control during landing.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor in the rear seat reported that during the landing roll the tailwheel unlocked, and the airplane turned right. He applied full left rudder and attempted to apply left brake, but when the left rudder and left brake were both applied, the top of the pedal toe brake contacted the spray control lever pushrod, preventing full braking. The airplane continued off the right side of the runway, where the airplane impacted a ditch and sustained substantial damage to the wings. Postaccident examination revealed that the front-seat rudder/brake pedals were found to move to their full range of motion without interference. The rear-seat rudder/brake pedals were found in the forward adjustment position. With full left rudder deflection, the left brake pedal’s range was restricted by the upper spray valve control pushrod. There were no other mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The design of the spray valve control lever and left rear rudder pedal in the forward adjustment position restricted the left rudder and brake pedal, which resulted in a loss of control during landing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Adjusting rear rudder pedals before flight to prevent control interference.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8

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