# NTSB ATL95LA168: Air Tractor 502B, N60237, Minter City, MS, September 13, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 13, 1995, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Minter City, MS - Coordinates: 33.750286, -90.329147 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7503&lon=-90.3291&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3624 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3624/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA168 ## Probable cause Inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot. Factors relating to the accident were: the excessive gross weight of the airplane and the high outside air temperature, which would have reduced the performance of the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - temperature,high (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, after climbing about twenty feet, the airplane began to settle to the ground. He could not establish a positive rate of climb or arrest the sink rate. The airplane collided with the ground about 1/4 mile off the departure end of the runway. Examination of the aircraft disclosed that it was approximately 725 pounds over the approved gross weight. According to the pilot, he did not calculate the gross weight before attempting the takeoff. Also, he did not report any mechanical difficulty with the aircraft. The outside air temperature was 94 degrees. ## Factual narrative On September 13, 1995, at 1430 central daylight time, an Air Tractor 502B, N60237, collided with the ground shortly after takeoff from a private airstrip near Minter City, Mississippi. The aerial application flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the pilot was not injured. The flight departed Minter City, at 1429 hours. According to the pilot, shortly after taking off from the private airstrip, and after climbing to twenty feet, the airplane began to settle to the ground. The pilot could not establish a positive rate of climb, or arrest the sink rate. The post-accident examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem or a system malfunction. The pilot also stated that he did not experience a mechanical problem with the airplane. According to the pilot, the ambient temperature was in the mid-nineties when the take off was attempted; the airplane was loaded with 3600 pounds of chemicals and 822 pounds of fuel. The basic empty weight of the aircraft was 4123 pounds. Federal Aviation Regulations allow this airplane to be flown with a gross weight of 9200 pounds, under specific density altitude and temperature requirements. These requirements state that the outside air temperature may not exceed 90 degrees, and operations must be conducted under 1300 feet pressure altitude. The normal maximum gross weight of the aircraft is 8000 pounds; the actual gross weight was 8725 pounds. A review of current weather data disclosed that the outside air temperature was 94 degrees. The pilot stated that he did not calculate the weight and balance for this flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N60237](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60237-2009-10-13), registration cancelled 2009-10-13, S/N 502B-0322, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR 502B - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (registry code 0390307) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502B-0322 - Airframe hours: 45 - Engines: P&W PT6A-34AG 650 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Jeff Jones - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 22, 1995, 45 hours before - Airport: PVT, Private Airstrip, runway 9, 3,000 × 25 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 12,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 6 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GWO, 16 nm away ## 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 19950913029649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950913029649A), Sep 13, 1995: Airtrc AT502B, Minter City, MS, Substantial damage. Settled after takeoff. Collided with ground. High temperature and heavy load factor. Performance not computed. ## Other investigations on N60237 (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 ERA09LA431](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA431), Jul 31, 2009: Air Tractor AT502 (N60237), Minter City, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering at a low altitude, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. 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.