# Accident 20150604010159A: Air Tractor Inc AT-602, Branch, LA, June 4, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 4, 2015, 15:01 local time
- Place: Branch, LA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: SDJG
- Location: 30.3390° N, 92.2590° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3390&lon=-92.2590&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5035R, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5035R-2018-05-30) (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: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-602
- Reported engine: P&W CANADA PT6A-66 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 10,600 total, 455 in this make and model, 270 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN15LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA276) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150604010159A

## Narrative

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

ON 6/4/2015 THE PILOT WAS FLYING A 1997 AT 602 CARRING APPROXIMATLY 3000LBS OF 27-17-17 FERTILIZER. THE PILOT WAS TAKING OFF FROM THE FRUGE AIRSTRIP IN BRANCH LOUISIANA, THE AIRCRAFT WAS FULL OF FUEL.

DURING TAKE-OFF, THE AIRCRAFT WAS AT FULL THROTTLE AND HAD LIFTED OFF. NEAR THE END OF THE AIR STRIP, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT SUSPECTS THE BLEED VALUE ON THE ENGINE FAILED AND STARTED LOSING POWER. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO DUMP HIS LOAD AND HIT THE WATER AND LOST COMPLETE CONTROL.

WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STOPPED, IT WAS UPSIDE DOWN AND THE PILOT UNBUCKELED HIMSELF AND GOT OUT. THE PILOT SAID HE CHANGED THE BLEED VALVE OUT AT 86 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## 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 CEN15LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA276), Jun 4, 2015: Air Tractor AT-602 (N5035R), Branch, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: An exceedance of the airplane's takeoff/climb capability, which resulted in a stall during initial climb at an altitude that was too low for recovery.

## Other reports on N5035R (1)

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

- [Accident 20140219003689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140219003689A), Feb 19, 2014: Air Tractor Inc AT-602 (N5035R), Church Point, LA, Substantial damage. During low level application of fertilizer (70 ft AGL), pilot said he experienced an engine surge then loss of power. Pilot climbed to 250 ft AGL and looked…

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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