- Date
- October 13, 2006, 16:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place
- Linden, AL
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N8504TAir Tractor AT-802A
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 26, 2007
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- Birmingham FSDO
- FAA report
- 20061013023509A
- Case key
- 64876
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's attempt to takeoff downwind resulting in the airplane not clearing trees at the end of the runway.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot stated that he took off downwind with trees at the end of the strip. The airplane was heavily loaded and did not get airborne quick enough. Examination of the airplane by an FAA Inspector found that the airplane had struck trees at the end of the runway and impacted the ground, causing substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. There were no mechanical problems reported by the pilot or discovered during the post-accident examination of the airplane.
Factual narrative
On October 13, 2006 at 1620 central daylight time, a Air Tractor AT-802A, N8504T registered to AG Pilots Inc, and Operated by Thrash Aviation Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, collided with trees during takeoff from a private airstrip in Linden, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot reported no injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot stated he took off down wind with trees on the end of the strip. He was heavily loaded and did not get airborne quick enough.
Examination of the airplane by an FAA Inspector found that the airplane had struck trees at the end of the runway and impacted the ground, causing substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. There were no mechanical problems reported by the pilot or discovered during the post-accident examination of the airplane.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8504T
- Reported as
- Air Tractor AT-802A
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 820A-0218
- Airframe hours
- 635
- Engine
- Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67AG, 500 horsepower, turbo prop
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Operator
- Thrash Aviation Inc
- Registered owner
- Ag Pilots Inc
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · September 1, 2006 · 20 hours before
- Departed
- Linden, AL
- Airport
- PVT · Stother Landing Strip, runway 180, 2,200 × 175 ft, grass/turf
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 35
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Without waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- July 1, 2005
- Seat
- Center
- Flight hours
- 9,500 total · 2,200 in this make and model · 9,500 as pilot in command · 350 in the last 90 days · 120 in the last 30 days · 10 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 72 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.01 inHg
- Observed at
- MEI
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N8504T · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.