# NTSB CEN12CA301: Air Tractor AT-502B, N5016P, El Campo, TX, May 7, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 7, 2012, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: El Campo, TX - Coordinates: 29.270833, -96.326385 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2708&lon=-96.3264&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 7, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83649 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA301 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83649/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83649 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA301 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to rotate early, the airplane’s subsequent inability to climb, and the pilot’s delayed decision to abort the takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/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-502B, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis While departing from a private airstrip for an aerial application flight, the pilot rotated the airplane for takeoff early to avoid ground equipment that was located off the end of the runway. However, the pilot stated that he “bled off too much energy too early,” and the airplane settled back onto the runway. The pilot aborted the takeoff, but the airplane was traveling too fast to stop on the runway. The pilot tried to maneuver the airplane to avoid the obstacles, but the airplane collided with the obstacles and terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. ## Factual narrative While departing a private airstrip, the pilot rotated the airplane for takeoff early in order to avoid ground equipment near the end of the runway. As a result, the airplane did not climb and settled back to the runway. The airplane would not become airborne so the pilot aborted the takeoff. However, the airplane was traveling too fast to stop on the runway. The pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid the parked vehicles, but collided with obstacles and terrain resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5016P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5016P-2018-02-08), registration cancelled 2018-02-08, S/N 502B-0420, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502B - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (registry code 0390307) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502B-0420 - Engines: P&W PT6A SERIES 500 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Independent Dusting Service Inc, doing business as Independent Dusting Service Inc - Registered owner: Independent Dusting Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: El Campo, TX - Destination: El Campo, TX - Airport: Private airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: single ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KARM, 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 20120507007879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120507007879A), May 7, 2012: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, El Campo, TX, Substantial damage. During agricultural operations for the dispersement of fertilizer, the pilot failed to maintain control of the aircraft. While operating out of a packed dirt… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 8, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83649. 4.5 MB in all. - Pilot's statement (item 1, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369545&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo: Wreckage overview (item 2, .PDF, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369572&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20Wreckage%20overview-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.