# Accident 20230424003379A: Air Tractor Inc AT-402A, Cullman, AL, April 24, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 24, 2023, 09:00 local time
- Place: Cullman, AL
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: PTSG
- Location: 34.0910° N, 86.8514° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0910&lon=-86.8514&mi=10
- Aircraft: N623LA, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N623LA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Air Tractor AT-402A (registry code 0390206, https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402a) (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-402A
- Reported engine: P&W PT6A SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,950 total, 522 in this make and model, 75 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA23LA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA215) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230424003379A

## Narrative

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

AIRCRAFT LANDED ON PRIVATE AIRSTRIP FOR THE PUPOSE OF AERIAL APPLICATION. AT TOUCHDOWN, THE TRAILING EDGE CHEMICAL APPLICATION BOOM AFT OF THE RIGHT WING SNAGGED THE WHEAT CROP THAT WAS ALONG THE EDGE OF THE AIRSTRIP. PILOT WAS UNABLE TO OVERCOME THE RIGHT HAND SWERVE/GROUNDLOOP. AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE REAR FUSELAGE, EMPENNAGE, AND TAIL GEAR.

## 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 ERA23LA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA215), Apr 24, 2023: Air Tractor AT-402A (N623LA), Good Hope, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to land on a runway where there was insufficient clearance from obstructions (wheat crop) to operate safely.

## Other reports on N623LA (1)

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

- [Incident 20150404003849I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150404003849I), Apr 4, 2015: Air Tractor Inc AT-402A (N623LA), Brickeys, AR, Minor damage. On April 4, 2015 at 1430 cd, an Air tractor AT-402A registered to taylor Air service inc. lost elevator control while performing aerial applications. Following…

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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