# NTSB CEN10CA343: Air Tractor AT-402B, N5120E, Virden, IL, June 19, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 19, 2010, 15:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: Virden, IL - Coordinates: 39.515556, -89.870277 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5156&lon=-89.8703&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 76431 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA343 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76431/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76431 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA343 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to take off from a wet grass runway at an airplane weight and density altitude that precluded a normal takeoff and climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/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-402B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the aerial application flight was attempting a takeoff when the airplane hit a bump 2/3 of the way down the runway, became airborne, and then descended into a corn field. The airplane impacted the cornfield upright and sideways, resulting in a deformed fuselage and substantial damage. The pilot stated that he could have prevented the accident by not taking off at a heavy weight on a wet runway. The density altitude at the time of the accident was approximately 2,854 feet mean sea level. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the aerial application flight attempted a takeoff on runway 27 (2640 feet by 100 feet, turf) during which the airplane hit a bump 2/3 down the runway, became airborne, and then descended into a corn field. The airplane impacted the cornfield upright and sideways resulting in a deformed fuselage and substantial damage. The pilot stated in his recommendation not to takeoff at a heavy weight on a wet runway. The density altitude at the time of the accdient was approximately 2,854 feet mean sea level. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5120E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5120E), registered now, S/N 402B-1052, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-402B - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402b) (registry code 0390208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402B-1052 - Airframe hours: 3464 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: C & L Holzwarth Inc - Registered owner: C & L Holzwarth Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2009 - Departed: 25IL, Virden, IL - Destination: 25IL, Virden, IL - Airport: 25IL, Bob Davis Flying Service Airpo, runway 27, 2,640 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 20, 2010; seat: single; flight hours: 4,300 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 4,200 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: SPI, 22 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 20100619038369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100619038369A), Jun 19, 2010: Air Tractor AT-402B, Virden, IL, Destroyed. According to pilot, he attempted to take off on a 2640 foot strip to complete a cropdusting run. Uplift was approximately 1950 lbs. Of chemicals in the hopper… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76431. 687 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 480 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333555&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Meteorological Information (item 2, .PDF, 207 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333556&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Meteorological%20Information-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.