Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502 near Cushing, OK — 2021-01-09

Final reportCEN21LA110
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Date
2021-01-09
Location
Cushing, OK, USA
Airport
PVT
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502
Registration
N4540C
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to takeoff from unsuitable terrain which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he intended to depart from a soft, muddy runway and was having a difficult time becoming airborne. When the airplane reached a spot of the runway that was not as muddy, the airplane “popped out of the mud” and reached an altitude of about 30 ft above the ground. Before he could lower the nose to gain airspeed, the left wing stalled and the airplane impacted the surrounding terrain resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, tail, and both wings. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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