# Accident 20050519007929A: Airtrc AT602, Ralls, TX, May 19, 2005

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 19, 2005, 09:44 local time
- Place: Ralls, TX
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: TNDG
- Location: 33.4675° N, 101.2928° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4675&lon=-101.2928&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9017Z, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9017Z-2006-06-29) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Air Tractor AT-602 (registry code 0390309, https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66 series (registry code 52118, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-66-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIRTRC AT602
- Reported engine: PT6A60AG
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot flight hours: 21,000 total, 2,450 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB DFW05LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05LA126) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050519007929A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) AN AGRICULTURAL PILOT WAS SCHEDULED TO COMPLETE HIS SECOND LOADOF HERBICIDE SPRAY AGAINST MESQUITE GROWTH AND WAS EXPECTED BACK AT THE CROSBYTON AIRPORT IN CROSBYTON, TEXAS, FOR ANOTHER LOAD OF CHEMICALS AND REFUELING AT 0930 CDT. HE MENTIONED TO THE GROUND CREW, HIS SON, THAT THE AILERON WAS GIVING HIM PROBLEMS, BUT HE COULD WORK THROUGH IT. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES, BUT SOME TIME BEFORE 0930 CDT, THE LAST FIVE FEET OF THE RIGHT WING OF THE AT-602 CONTACTED A WEATHER ANTENNA AT ABOUT 195 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THREE FEET FROM THE TOP. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND, NOSE LOW, WINGS LEVEL, 831 FEET FROM THE TOWER, ALONG A HEADING OF 38 DEGREES, WHICH IS THE SAME DIRECTION AS THE CROSBYTON AIRPORT. THE IMPACT WAS FATAL FOR THE PILOT AND CAUSED THE FUSELAGE TO SEPARATE RESULTING IN A POST-CRASH FIRE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A LARGE AMOUNT OF RESIDUAL CHEMICALS AND ONLY A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF FUEL WAS PRESENT TO BURN.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB DFW05LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05LA126), May 19, 2005: Air Tractor AT-602 (N9017Z), Ralls, TX, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the antenna tower. Contributing factors were the recency of the tower's construction and the lack of obstruction lights on the tower.

## Other reports on N9017Z (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20050318003089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050318003089A), Mar 18, 2005: Airtrc AT602 (N9017Z), Crosbyton, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 18, 2005, at approximately 1520 CST, an air tractor AT-602 aircraft, N9017Z, experienced loss of rudder control during takeoff at Crosbyton…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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