# NTSB ATL96LA130: Air Tractor 402, N1517G, Mayersville, MS, September 21, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 21, 1996, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Mayersville, MS - Coordinates: 32.910369, -91.020874 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9104&lon=-91.0209&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report April 3, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3762 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3762/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA130 ## Probable cause the pilot's misjudgment of his ground speed and distance to trees during the swath run, and his delayed pull-up at the end of the swath run, which resulted in his failure to remain clear of the trees. The tail wind and location of the trees were related factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - distance/speed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - pull-up - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis At the end of a spray run, the airplane collided with trees, located in a densely wooded area, adjacent to the field being treated. According to the pilot's partner, the swath run was flown with a tailwind of about eight knots. The treated field was about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile in length. The aircraft manufacturer noted that in turbinr powered the airplane, spray runs were typically conducted at speeds of about 150 to 170 knots. ## Factual narrative On September 21, 1996, about 1515 central daylight time, an Air Tractor 402, N1517G, collided with trees during an aerial application swath run near Mayersville, Mississippi. The airplane was operated by Lake Washington Flying Service under Title 14 CFR Part 137, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the flight. The commercial pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Glen Allan, Mississippi about 1430 on the same day. According to the inspector who visited the accident site, the airplane collided with trees at the end of a swath run. The inspector, and the operator who has been an agricultural pilot for about 17 years, stated that they believed the airplane was conducting the spray swath downwind, with about an eight knot tailwind. They indicated in their respective reports that the airplane was scattered through a densely wooded area for about 800 feet. There was general disintegration of the airplane along the debris trail. According to the inspector, the propeller was heavily damaged indicative of high powered rotation during the impact sequence. The aircraft manufacturer stated that, in the turbine powered airplane, spray runs are typically conducted about 150-170 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1517G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1517G-2013-07-18), registration cancelled 2013-07-18, S/N 402-0834, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor 402 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402) (registry code 0390205) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4020834 - Airframe hours: 2333 - Engines: P&W PT6A-27 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Lake Washington Flying Svc, In - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 14, 1996, 445 hours before - Departed: NONE, GLEN ALLAN, MS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 11,461 total, 1,030 in this make and model, 11,402 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GLH, 45 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 19960921029039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960921029039A), Sep 21, 1996: Airtrc AT402, Mayersville, MS, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Collided with trees at end of swath run. Spray run was downwind. Pull up was too late. 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.