Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR AT-301 near Winner, SD — 2014-06-11

Final reportCEN14LA284
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Date
2014-06-11
Location
Winner, SD, USA
Airport
ICR
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR AT-301
Registration
N8564S
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to attempt a takeoff with a tailwind and his failure to achieve the proper airspeed for liftoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and entering an aerodynamic stall shortly after liftoff.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was conducting a local agricultural application flight. The pilot reported that shortly after liftoff from runway 31, at an altitude of 3-5 ft above the runway, he heard a loud bang and the airplane began to yaw left. The airplane descended and bounced off the left side of the runway. The pilot stated that he increased the airplane's pitch to gain altitude, but the airplane encountered an aerodynamic stall and the left wing dropped. As he attempted to dump the load of insecticide, the airplane nosed over into the ground and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. A postaccident examination revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation during the flight. The engine, which separated from the airframe during impact, exhibited impact-related damage and no mechanical malfunctions. The surface wind at the time of the accident would have resulted in an 8-knot tailwind during the takeoff. The effect of the tailwind would have resulted in a greater groundspeed and additional runway length needed to attain the proper liftoff airspeed. The pilot likely conducted a premature liftoff at an inadequate airspeed, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and entering an aerodynamic stall.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff due to tailwind conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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