# NTSB CEN13LA451: Air Tractor AT-400A, N36612, Lombardville, IL, July 29, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 29, 2013, 05:30 local (10:30 UTC) - Place: Lombardville, IL - Coordinates: 41.219444, -89.654998 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2194&lon=-89.6550&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 87639 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA451 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87639/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87639 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA451 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during 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: [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: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he lost control of the tailwheel-equipped airplane during the takeoff roll, and the right wing struck a railroad berm. The airplane spun around and came to rest on the railroad tracks adjacent to the runway. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical problems that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Factual narrative On July 29, 2013, about 0530 central daylight time, N36612, an Air Tractor Incorporated AT-400A, sustained substantial damage on takeoff from a private grass runway near Lombardville, Illinois. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Woodley Aerial Leasing Incorporated, Walnut, Illinois. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137.The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll he lost control of the airplane and the right wing struck a railroad berm. The airplane spun around and came to rest on a set of railroad tracks adjacent to the runway. The left wing was substantially damaged. The main landing gear and propeller were also damaged. The pilot reported there were no pre-mishap mechanical problems with the airplane ## Aircraft - Registration: N36612 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-400A - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 301-0343 - Year built: 1981 - Engines: P&W CANADA PT6A-15AG 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Woodley Craig S - Registered owner: Woodley Craig S - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Departed: Lombardville, IL - Destination: Lombardville, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; flight hours: 12,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20130729014599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130729014599A), Jul 29, 2013: Air Tractor Inc AT-400A, Lombardville, IL, Substantial damage. Description: during takeoff roll off from an unapproved dirt strip being used as a remote aerial application base, aircraft wing caught a dirt birm which… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 4, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87639. 123 KB in all. - Sheriff's Report (item 1, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403610&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Sheriff%27s%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403609&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-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.