# NTSB CEN09CA316: Air Tractor AT-602, N85115, Charleston, MO, May 15, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 15, 2009, 09:10 local (14:10 UTC) - Place: Charleston, MO - Coordinates: 36.841945, -89.359443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8419&lon=-89.3594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73910 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA316 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73910/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73910 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA316 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff resulting in a runway overrun and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis Witnesses reported that the agricultural airplane attempted to depart the private airstrip with a load of potash, but that the airplane "never made it off the ground" and impacted crops and terrain located at the end of the runway. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The rudder was crushed and the engine separated from the airframe. The pilot did "not remember any of the accident." The accident flight was one of several flights completed that day and the day before. The estimated weight of the airplane at the time of takeoff was 11,200 lbs, and the airplane's maximum gross weight was 12,500 lbs. The runway is approximately 1/2 mile in length with 1,600 feet of asphalt and the remaining runway is grass/turf. Postaccident examination revealed no anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative Witnesses reported that the agricultural airplane attempted to depart the private airstrip with a load of potash, but that the airplane "never made it off the ground" and impacted crops and terrain located at the end of the runway. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The rudder was crushed and the engine separated from the airframe. The pilot did "not remember any of the accident." The accident flight was one of several flights completed that day and the day before. The estimated weight of the airplane at the time of takeoff was 11,200 lbs, and the airplane's maximum gross weight was 12,500 lbs. The runway is approximately 1/2 mile in length with 1,600 feet of asphalt and the remaining runway is grass/turf. Postaccident examination revealed no anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N85115](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N85115-2023-03-23), registration cancelled 2023-03-23, S/N 602-0652 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-602 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-602](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-602) (registry code 0390309) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602-0652 - Airframe hours: 2875 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-60AG 1050 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Thompson Flying Service, LLC - Registered owner: Thompson Flying Service, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 22, 2009 - Departed: Charleston, MO - Destination: Charleston, MO - Airport: runway 36 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 8, 2008; seat: center; flight hours: 2,187 total, 1,512 in this make and model, 2,110 as pilot in command, 158 in the last 90 days, 106 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °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 20090515007769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090515007769A), May 15, 2009: Airtrc AT602, Charleston, MO, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft heavy with dry fertilizer (potash) and fuel failed to acquire airspeed and altitude enough to clear standing wheat at the end of the 2400 foot… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73910. 485 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 419 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314712&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314713&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF 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.