Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR AT-402B near Virden, IL — 2010-06-19

Final reportCEN10CA343
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Date
2010-06-19
Location
Virden, IL, USA
Airport
25IL
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR AT-402B
Registration
N5120E
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to take off from a wet grass runway at an airplane weight and density altitude that precluded a normal takeoff and climb.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the aerial application flight was attempting a takeoff when the airplane hit a bump 2/3 of the way down the runway, became airborne, and then descended into a corn field. The airplane impacted the cornfield upright and sideways, resulting in a deformed fuselage and substantial damage. The pilot stated that he could have prevented the accident by not taking off at a heavy weight on a wet runway. The density altitude at the time of the accident was approximately 2,854 feet mean sea level.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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