Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502B near Bogata, TX — 2012-08-17

Final reportCEN12CA568
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Date
2012-08-17
Location
Bogata, TX, USA
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502B
Registration
N6047G
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the airplane’s loading beyond its maximum gross weight.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he completed two successful aerial application flights from the same 2,000-foot turf runway before the accident flight. For the next chemical application, the airplane was loaded on downsloping terrain, in a tail-high attitude, just before the accident flight. This position may have affected the accuracy of the sight gauge. The pilot was distracted during the chemical loading and refueling and did not recheck the level of the chemical in the hopper. In a postaccident interview, the pilot stated that after loading, the airplane exceeded its maximum gross weight by about 500 pounds. The temperature was about 95 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind was from 270 degrees at 5 knots. The pilot departed with 10 degrees of flaps. The airplane became airborne but did not get out of ground effect. According to the pilot, the airplane “sagged” and the left main landing gear hit an embankment. The airplane landed in the adjacent cornfield and sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He stated that a dust devil may have affected the airplane’s performance.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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