# NTSB ATL89DKJ02: Aircraft Parts & Dev. A-9B, N9087A, Athens, AL, March 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1989, 17:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Athens, AL
- Coordinates: 34.780952, -86.949424 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7810&lon=-86.9494&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 June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7832
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89DKJ02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7832/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DKJ02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION/PLANNING TO ASSURE SUFFICIENT RUNWAY LENGTH FOR CLEARING OBSTRUCTIONS.

## 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
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THREE-FOURTHS OF THE WAY DOWN THE 1,400 FT GRASS FIELD DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE AIRSPEED WAS 45 KTS AND THE LOAD WAS DUMPED. THE AIRCRAFT BECOME AIRBORNE BUT HIT TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9087A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9087A-1992-03-26), registration cancelled 1992-03-26, S/N 5002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aircraft Parts & Dev. Corp A-9B
- Registry model: [Aircraft Parts & Dev. A-9B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aircraft-parts-dev-a-9b) (registry code 0360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5002
- Airframe hours: 544
- Engines: LYCOMING IO540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: David N. Usery
- Registered owner: Mooresville Farms, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1988, 7 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 5,382 total, 5 in this make and model, 4,881 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890314003789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890314003789A), Mar 14, 1989: Airpts A9B, Athens, AL, Substantial damage. Failed to gain speed on takeoff dumped load lifted off but fail to clear trees. Caught a wing and cartwheeled.

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.

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