Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT-602 near Canton, MS — 2010-07-29

Final reportERA10LA385
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Date
2010-07-29
Location
Canton, MS, USA
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT-602
Registration
N9046D
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin.

NTSB narrative

According to the operator, the pilot was practicing maneuvers in the agricultural application airplane to improve his skills. Several witnesses observed the airplane spiraling nose down just before it impacted the ground, consistent with it having entered an aerodynamic stall. One of the witnesses recalled hearing the airplane's engine running during the accident sequence. No mechanical anomalies were noted during the postaccident examination of the airplane; however, the airplane was severely damaged due to the severe impact forces and post-crash fire. An annual inspection was completed on the airplane and engine 4 months prior to the accident, with no anomalies noted. Postaccident toxicological testing and autopsy findings revealed no evidence of a medical anomaly and no evidence of drugs or alcohol in the pilot's system. The pilot had been flying the airplane for about 1 month prior to the accident and had accumulated 54 hours of flight experience during that time.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen not to practice maneuvers with limited experience.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

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