# NTSB CEN09CA361: Air Tractor AT-402A, N50956, Trumann, AR, June 12, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 12, 2009, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Trumann, AR - Coordinates: 35.489723, -90.549163 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4897&lon=-90.5492&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 74058 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA361 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74058/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74058 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA361 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control in flight. Contributing to the accident was his decision to fly with known hazardous weather conditions in the vicinity. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390206), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0390206), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=0390206), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Convective weather: thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010/cases.md?model=0390206), [All aircraft, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=0390206), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0390206), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot had just begun crop dusting when a gust of wind forced him into the ground from a height of approximately one hundred and fifty feet. The airplane struck the ground in a left-wing-low and nose-down attitude. The left side of the aircraft impacted a tree, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot said that he was aware of a nearby thunderstorm but did not believe it would affect his flight. Upon exiting the aircraft the pilot estimated the wind to be approximately thirty miles per hour. It began to rain twenty minutes after the accident. No preflight briefing was received. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot had just begun crop dusting when a gust of wind forced him into the ground from a height of approximately one hundred and fifty feet. The airplane struck the ground in a left wing low and nose down attitude. The left side of the aircraft impacted a tree, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot said he was aware of a nearby thunderstorm but did not believe it would affect his flight. Upon exiting the aircraft the pilot estimated the wind to be approximately thirty miles per hour. It began to rain twenty minutes after the accident. No preflight briefing was received. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50956](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50956-2009-12-04), registration cancelled 2009-12-04, S/N 402A-1076, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-402A - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402a) (registry code 0390206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402A-1076 - Airframe hours: 3608 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-11AG 550 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: 5G's Aviation LLC - Registered owner: 5G's Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 2009 - Departed: NONE, Trumann, AR - Destination: NONE, Trumann, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 17, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 2,334 total, 808 in this make and model, 1,957 as pilot in command, 127 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 5 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: JBR, 12 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 20090612008619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090612008619A), Jun 12, 2009: Airtrc AT402A, Weona, AR, Substantial damage. On June 12, 2009 at approximately 1600 local an air tractor AT-402A, N50956, serial # 402A-1076 was fertilizing a field approximately 4 NM se or Weona, AR.… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74058. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 656 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316197&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Telephone Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316198&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Telephone%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316209&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 172 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316195&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 5, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316211&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Maps or Charts of Accident Area, Wreckage Diagrams (item 6, .PDF, 368 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316213&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20or%20Charts%20of%20Accident%20Area,%20Wreckage%20Diagrams-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.