# Accident 20170731010229A: Air Tractor Inc AT-802A, Wells, NV, July 31, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 31, 2017, 13:00 local time
- Place: Wells, NV
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: KOJG
- Location: 41.1169° N, 114.9197° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1169&lon=-114.9197&mi=10
- Aircraft: N70LA, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70LA-2023-01-19) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Air Tractor AT-802A (registry code 0390308, https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-802a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A series (registry code 52034, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-802A
- Reported engine: P&W PT6A SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 5,208 total, 3,793 in this make and model, 137 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR17LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA177) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170731010229A

## Narrative

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

THE AIR TRACTOR LIGHT ATTACK TANKER WAS LANDING AT THE WELLS AIRPORT AFTER WORKING A FIRE. THE TOUCHDOWN WAS NORMAL, AND AS THE TAIL WHEEL BEGAN TO SETTLE, THE AIRCRAFT MADE A HARD RIGHT, AND DEPARTED THE RUNWAY. THE LEFT LANDING GEAR TORE OFF AS IT DUG INTO THE SOFT SHOULDER. THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND, AND THE PROP APPEARED TO HAVE STRUCK THE LEFT MAIN GEAR THAT HAD SHEARED OFF. THE PILOT STATED THAT IT WAS SUDDEN, AND THAT HE HAD NO RUDDER OR AILERON CONTROL.

THE WIND WAS VARIABLE AT 10 KTS, AND THEERE WERE WIDESPREAD THERMALS (DEVIL DUSTERS) THROUGHOUT THE AREA.

## 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 WPR17LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA177), Jul 31, 2017: Air Tractor AT 802A (N70LA), Wells, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a period of thermal activity, which led to a runway excursion and impact with terrain.

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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