# NTSB ATL07CA011: Air Tractor AT-802A, N8504T, Linden, AL, October 13, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 13, 2006, 16:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Linden, AL - Coordinates: 32.307151, -87.79654 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3072&lon=-87.7965&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64876 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL07CA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64876/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07CA011 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - wind information - disregarded, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8504T), registered now, S/N 802A-0218, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-802A - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-802A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-802a) (registry code 0390308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 820A-0218 - Airframe hours: 635 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20061013023509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061013023509A), Oct 13, 2006: Airtrc AT802A, Pine Hill, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) While performing fertilizer operations under 14 CFR part 137, pilot made downwind takeoff with loaded aircraft, aircraft became airborne without becoming… ## Other investigations on N8504T (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 DFW06LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06LA121), May 1, 2006: Air Tractor AT-802A (N8504T), Jasper, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable landing for the pilot to execute the forced landing. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.