# NTSB CEN13LA371: Air Tractor AT-502B, N6017E, Campbell, NE, June 23, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 23, 2013, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Campbell, NE - Coordinates: 40.602222, -99.255279 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6022&lon=-99.2553&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 10, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 87303 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA371 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87303/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87303 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA371 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to continue with the takeoff roll despite the airplane's difficulty becoming airborne The high-density altitude likely contributed to the airplane's reduced performance. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Before takeoff, the airplane's hopper was about one-third full, and the fuel tanks were half full. During the takeoff roll, the airplane did not become airborne when it reached the expected point of rotation. The pilot scanned the gauges, verified full power, and increased the flaps. The airplane briefly became airborne, but then it settled to the ground. The airplane impacted a fence and rotated 180 degrees before coming to a complete stop, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. Meteorological data indicated that the density altitude was about 4,100 feet. The high-density altitude likely contributed to the airplane's reduced performance. ## Factual narrative On June 23, 2013, about 1630 central daylight time, an Air Tractor Inc. AT-502B, N6017E, was substantially damaged when it settled into a field after takeoff near Campbell, Nebraska. The commercial pilot was not injured. The aircraft was registered to and operated by Campbell Aerial Spraying, Inc., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. Prior to takeoff, the airplane was loaded with 170 gallons of chemicals and the fuel tanks were half full. The pilot estimated that the airplane was 7,268 pounds at the time of the accident; 732 pounds below maximum gross weight. During the takeoff roll, the airplane reached the expected point of rotation, but was "not flying yet." The pilot scanned the gauges, verified full power, and added additional flaps. The airplane became airborne but then settled to the ground. The airplane impacted a fence and rotated 180 degrees before coming to a complete stop. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident, during the impact with the ground, the right main landing gear separated from the airframe. The right wing was bent and wrinkled and the fuselage structure was bent and broken. According to the mechanic responsible for repairing the airplane, there was minor damage to the fuselage and substantial damage to right wing. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. Calculations of relevant meteorological data indicated that the density altitude was about 4,100 feet. The flight manual for the Air Tractor AT-502B states that flaps should be retracted for a normal takeoff. A takeoff from a short field with a full hopper requires 10 degrees of flaps. Air Tractor does not provide performance expectations or guidance for the use of more than 10 degrees of flaps at takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6017E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6017E), registered now, S/N 502B-0260, built 1994 (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-0260 - Airframe hours: 10762 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Campbell Aerial Spraying - Registered owner: Aviation Services Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 2013 - Departed: PVT, Campbell, NE - Destination: PVT, Campbell, NE - Airport: PVT, Simonton ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,169 total, 11 in this make and model, 58.4 in the last 90 days, 17.2 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KHSI ## 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 20130623012389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130623012389A), Jun 23, 2013: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, Campbell, NE, Substantial damage. On June 23, 2013 at approximately 16:30 CDT, N6017E, an Air tractor AT-502B operated by Campbell aerial spraying inc. (rmqg) attempted to depart on a private… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 4, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87303. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 806 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400221&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Damage - Mechanic (item 2, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401997&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Damage%20-%20Mechanic-Redacted.PDF - Air Tractor Flight Manual Excerpt (item 3, .PDF, 398 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401206&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Air%20Tractor%20Flight%20Manual%20Excerpt-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.