# Accident 20200922011829A: Air Tractor Inc AT-802A, Emmett, ID, September 22, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 22, 2020, 18:30 local time
- Place: Emmett, ID
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Climb
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 43.8433° N, 116.4117° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8433&lon=-116.4117&mi=10
- Aircraft: N836MM, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N836MM-2023-12-26) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Air Tractor AT-802A (registry code 0390308, https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-802a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67AG (registry code 52211, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-67ag) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-802A
- Reported engine: P&W CANADA PT6A-67AG
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 22,950 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR20LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA315) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200922011829A

## Narrative

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

ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2020, AT APPROXIMATELY 1830 HOURS MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT TIME, N836MM, AN AIR TRACTOR MODEL AT-802A AIRCRAFT, IMPACTED RISING TERRAIN APPROXIMATELY 6.4 MILES EAST OF EMMETT MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (S78). THE SINGLE ENGINE AIR TANKER (SEAT) AIRCRAFT, CONDUCTING FIRE SUPPRESSION OPERATIONS UNDER 14 CFR PART 91, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND, AND SOLE OCCUPANT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT, WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT DISCHARGE FIRE RETARDANT DURING THE WEST-TO-EAST PASS ALONG THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THE BURN AREA. ACCIDENT SCENE VIDEO CAPTURES THE AIRCRAFT PITCHING UP TO A NOSE-HIGH ATTITUDE BEFORE IMPACTING RISING TERRAIN APPROXIMATELY 80 FEET BELOW THE OPPOSITE RIDGELINE. THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT CONTINUED OVER THE RIDGELINE AFTER INITIAL IMPACT, CROSSED A SMALL RAVINE, AND CAME TO REST APPROXIMATELY 100 YARDS FROM THE TOP OF THE FIRST RIDGELINE ON A HEADING OF 040 DEGREES AND 3200 FOOT ELEVATION. THERE WAS A SMALL, POST-IMPACT GRASS FIRE NEAR THE ENGINE OF THE AIRCRAFT WHICH WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED BY RESCUE PERSONNEL.

## 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 WPR20LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA315), Sep 23, 2020: Air Tractor AT-802A (N836MM), Emmett, ID, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s descent below surrounding terrain and his delayed decision to initiate a climb which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident were terrain and lighting conditions…

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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