# NTSB CEN09CA540: Air Tractor AT-502, N4516K, East Grand Forks, MN, August 22, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 22, 2009, 09:07 local (14:07 UTC) - Place: East Grand Forks, MN - Coordinates: 47.931945, -97.021385 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9319&lon=-97.0214&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74587 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA540 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74587/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74587 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA540 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the crops while maneuvering at low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/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: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was maneuvering at low altitude on an agricultural application flight when the right wing contacted the crops during a turn. He was unable to recover and subsequently impacted the terrain. The airplane was substantially damaged. He noted that he had lost track of the airplane's altitude as he was referencing some charts in an attempt to locate the correct field to be sprayed. He added that there were no failures or malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was maneuvering at low altitude on an agricultural application flight when the right wing contacted the crops during a turn. He was unable to recover and subsequently impacted the terrain. He noted that he had lost track of the airplane's altitude as he was referencing some charts in an attempt to locate the correct field to be sprayed. He added that there were no failures or malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4516K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4516K-2009-10-13), registration cancelled 2009-10-13, S/N 502-0097 (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 Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502-0097 - Airframe hours: 18742 - Engines: P&W CANADA PT6A-60A 1050 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Agrimax LLC - Registered owner: Agrimax LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2009 - Departed: MN81, East Grand Fork, MN - Destination: MN81, East Grand Fork, MN - Airport: MN81, JJ and T ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 30, 2008; seat: single; flight hours: 2,752 total, 589 in this make and model, 78 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,100 ft overcast - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: GFK, 7 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 20090822048939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090822048939A), Aug 22, 2009: Air Tractor AT-502, East Grand Fork, MN, Substantial damage. Pilot was surveying field for spraying and was looking for correct field, he looked down at his map and the right wing contacted the ground. ## Other investigations on N4516K (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 SEA95LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA158), Jul 24, 1995: Air Tractor AT-502 (N4516K), Idaho Falls, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE AIRSPEED AT LIFTOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, TAILWIND CONDITIONS, THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN EXCESSIVE TAKEOFF FLAP SETTING, AND A WINDSHEAR… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 28, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74587. 927 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 927 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319247&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.