# NTSB CEN09CA323: Air Tractor AT-502, N198LA, Mendota, IL, May 29, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 29, 2009, 07:50 local (12:50 UTC) - Place: Mendota, IL - Coordinates: 41.521945, -89.132499 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5219&lon=-89.1325&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73929 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA323 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73929/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73929 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA323 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation and his failure to perform an aborted takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: weight/balance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Loading](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500/cases.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft loading event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The agricultural airplane was loaded about 300 pounds over its maximum gross weight for a commercial aerial application flight. The pilot stated that the airplane had not become airborne after traveling 3/4 down the runway. At that point in the takeoff, the pilot attempted to lift off, but the airplane settled back onto the runway. The airplane then overran the runway and hit a hill after which the airplane became airborne and then impacted the ground with its right wing tip and left wing, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot sustained minor injuries. ## Factual narrative The agricultural airplane was loaded about 300 pounds over its maximum gross weight for a commercial aerial application flight. The pilot stated that the airplane had not become airborne after traveling 3/4 down runway 36 (2,800 feet by 80 feet, turf). At that point in the takeoff, the pilot attempted to lift off, but the airplane settled back onto the runway. The airplane then overran the runway and hit a hill after which the airplane became airborne and then impacted the ground with its right wing tip and left wing resulting in substantial damage. The pilot sustained minor injuries. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N198LA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N198LA), registered now, S/N 502-0198, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC. AT-502 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502) (registry code 0390303) (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: 502-0198 - Airframe hours: 9391 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34A6 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: R & R Flight Service - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 2008 - Departed: 0C7, Mendota, IL - Destination: 0C7, Mendota, IL - Airport: IL93, Hendrickson Flying Service Air, runway 36, 2,800 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 12, 2008; seat: center; flight hours: 3,581 total, 412 in this make and model, 3,485 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: RFD, 17 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 20090529011239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090529011239A), May 29, 2009: Airtrc AT502, Mendota, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 29, 2009 at 0745 Mr. Donald lee younglove was pilot in command of an agricultural spraying aircraft, air tractor 502, N49PL when he crashed off… ## Other investigations on N198LA (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 CEN13LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA168), Feb 7, 2013: Air Tractor AT-502 (N198LA), Forrest City, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The in-flight separation of the left aileron's push-pull rod and hardware. Contributing to the accident was the failure of maintenance personnel to apply proper torque to the self-locking nuts. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 30, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73929. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 567 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315773&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Weather (item 2, .PDF, 258 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315774&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather-Master.PDF - Airplane Weight and Balance (item 3, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315775&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Weight%20and%20Balance-Master.PDF - Type Certificate Data Sheet (item 4, .PDF, 145 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315776&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Type%20Certificate%20Data%20Sheet-Master.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.