# Accident 20210109004429A: Air Tractor Inc AT-502, Cushing, OK, January 9, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 9, 2021, 03:00 local time
- Place: Cushing, OK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.9392° N, 96.8206° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9392&lon=-96.8206&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4540C, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4540C-2022-11-21) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Air Tractor AT-502 (registry code 0390303, https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502
- Reported engine: P & W PT6A-34
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, private pilot, student
- Pilot flight hours: 1,198 total, 61 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN21LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA110) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210109004429A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT TAXIED OUT TO THE END OF A PRIVATE STRIP AND NOTICED THE GROUND WAS SOFT.  THE PILOT DECIDED TO KEEP ROLLING AND CONDUCT A SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF.  WHEN THE AIRCRAFT LIFTED OFF THE GROUND THE PILOT DIDN'T PUSH THE NOSE OVER QUICK ENOUGH TO ACCELERATE IN GROUND EFFECT.  THE AIRCRAFT STALLED APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET IN THE AIR CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT.

## 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 CEN21LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA110), Jan 9, 2021: Air Tractor AT-502 (N4540C), Cushing, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to takeoff from unsuitable terrain which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.

## Other reports on N4540C (1)

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

- [Accident 19960315004319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960315004319A), Mar 15, 1996: Airtrc AT502 (N4540C), Texarkana, AR, Destroyed. Power failure, not enough field to land. Couldn't make it over trees at end. Opted for safest spot in trees. (-23) on March 15, 1996, at 0950 CST, an air…

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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