# NTSB CEN12LA344: Air Tractor AT401, N4547Q, Kenmare, ND, June 4, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 4, 2012, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Kenmare, ND - Coordinates: 48.667499, -102.0475 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6675&lon=-102.0475&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 83881 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA344 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83881/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83881 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA344 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [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-401, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/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-401, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to take off for an agricultural application flight with the airplane loaded near gross weight. During the takeoff roll, the pilot thought that the airplane would not attain flight. The pilot aborted the takeoff about halfway down the runway without dumping the load of agricultural applicant. With about 400 feet of runway remaining, the pilot applied reverse thrust, and the airplane ground looped. Examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On June 4, 2012, about 0930 central daylight time, an Air Tractor Inc AT-401, N4547Q, impacted terrain during an aborted takeoff on runway 26 at Kenmare Municipal Airport (7K5), Kenmare, North Dakota. The pilot aborted the takeoff after he thought the airplane performance was degraded, and the airplane ground looped. The commercial pilot was uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The airplane was registered to the pilot and operated by Northern Ag Service under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to spray fungicide on winter wheat. The pilot reported that the airplane weight was 7,723.5 pounds and the maximum gross weight of the airplane was 8,000 pounds. During the takeoff roll on runway 26 (3,700 feet by 60 feet, dry asphalt), he made the decision to abort the takeoff when the airplane was about half down the runway, or about 1,900 feet down the runway. The engine instrument indications of 96 percent torque and 645 degrees inter-turbine temperature "looked ok." He said that he made the decision to abort the takeoff because the airplane "did not feel like it was going to fly." As the airplane slowed and about three-quarters down the runway, or about 2,775 feet down the runway, he placed the engine power lever in reverse. The airplane ground looped 180 degrees. The pilot stated that if he had dumped the fungicide, he could have possibly avoided the accident. According to a Federal Aviation inspector, examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4547Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4547Q), registered now, S/N 401-0792 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT401 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-401](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-401) (registry code 0390204) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 401-0792 - Airframe hours: 5138.9 - Engines: Walter M601E-11 751 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Northern Ag Service - Registered owner: Individual - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 2012 - Departed: 7K5, Kenmare, ND - Destination: 7K5, Kenmare, ND - Airport: 7K5, Kenmare Municipal Airport, runway 26, 3,700 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 30, 2011; seat: center; flight hours: 5,433 total, 474 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: MIB, 32 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 20120604011049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120604011049A), Jun 4, 2012: Air Tractor Inc AT-401, Kenmare, ND, Substantial damage. During takeoff pilot aborted approx 1900 feet down a 3700 foot runway with a load of chemical. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with aircraft and that… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 30, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83881. 51 KB in all. - Record of Conversation - FAA (item 1, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389258&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA-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.