Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT 602 near Gueydan, LA — 2014-05-27

Final reportCEN14LA255
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Date
2014-05-27
Location
Gueydan, LA, USA
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT 602
Registration
N602RR
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control, which resulted in a stall and subsequent collision with power lines.

NTSB narrative

A witness reported observing the airplane make a downwind turn that would re-align it with the field the pilot was spraying. The airplane then entered a descent and struck 30-ft-high power lines before impacting the ground about 30 ft forward of the power lines in a left-wing-low, steep nose-down attitude, which was consistent with the airplane stalling before it impacted the power lines. The pilot was known to make steep, high-G turns when spraying fields. The day before the accident, the pilot flew the accident airplane, and it struck a bird, which damaged the right wing's leading edge. A mechanic inspected the wing and deemed the damage to be minor; the pilot agreed and subsequently flew the damaged airplane for about 12 hours. A company pilot reported that he heard the pilot comment over the radio during an application pass later that same day that the wing was starting to open up where the bird had impacted it. Even with this knowledge, the pilot continued to fly the airplane. The company pilot also stated that he had looked at the airplane on the morning of the accident and noted that several rivets were missing around the damaged area and that he would not have flown the airplane in that condition; however, he did not share his concerns with the pilot or the operator. Due to impact and postimpact fire damage, it could not be determined if the damaged wing contributed to the accident; however, the spar was undamaged. The pilot's wife stated that he was not taking any medications and that he was in good health but that he did use marijuana recreationally on the weekends only. The accident occurred on a Tuesday. Although postaccident toxicology tests detected a low level of marijuana in the pilot's blood and lung, it is unlikely that it impaired his performance on the day of the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have grounded the aircraft after bird strike damage was noted.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8

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