Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT-802A near Minot, ND — 2013-06-16

Final reportCEN13LA353
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Date
2013-06-16
Location
Minot, ND, USA
Airport
MOT
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT-802A
Registration
N8522S
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during an aerial application flight.

NTSB narrative

During the aerial application flight, the pilot pulled the airplane up over trees and felt a small bump. The pilot stated that he believed that the airplane had struck branches. The airplane flew straight for a couple of seconds and then started rolling left. The pilot applied full right aileron and full right rudder, but the airplane continued to roll left. The airplane then struck the ground in a nose-low attitude. Examination of accident site and airplane wreckage revealed that the left wing had struck a tree. The examination did not reveal any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he was well rested and that the flying shift was during his normal working hours.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided flying too low over trees during aerial application.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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