Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT-402A near Arriba, CO — 2011-05-05

Final reportCEN11LA323
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Date
2011-05-05
Location
Arriba, CO, USA
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT-402A
Registration
N5192F
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot’s controlled flight into terrain for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The pilot completed an aerial application portion of his flight and departed from the work area. The airplane collided with the ground at a high speed in a flat, open field about 7 miles from the work area. The pilot sustained serious injuries and was unable to recall any of the events preceding the accident. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not identify any preimpact abnormalities with the airframe or engine. The airplane’s three-bladed propeller displayed signatures that were consistent with the engine producing power at the time of impact. Data recovered from an on-board GPS unit tracked the airplane from departure to the accident site. The data showed that, during the final minute of the flight, the airplane’s airspeed increased and its altitude decreased. The flight profile is consistent with a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) for undetermined reasons.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have maintained altitude instead of descending towards terrain.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents10

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