Pilot Debrief

Air Tractor AT 602 near Mamou, LA — 2020-04-21

Final reportCEN20CA153
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Date
2020-04-21
Location
Mamou, LA, USA
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT 602
Registration
N653LA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The airplane's encounter with a sunken area during takeoff from a turf runway, which resulted in the airplane becoming prematurely airborne and impacting a tree and then terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the turf airstrip had a "sunken area," which created a "ramp." During takeoff, the airplane encountered this portion of the airstrip and became "airborne prematurely." The airplane subsequently settled into ground effect; however, the left wing impacted a small tree near the end of the runway, and the airplane then pitched "downward and left," and the airplane was unable to maintain altitude. The airplane impacted a field off the end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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