# NTSB CEN14CA341: Air Tractor AT 402B, N5197U, Sudan, TX, June 26, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 26, 2014, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Sudan, TX - Coordinates: 34.202777, -102.554725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2028&lon=-102.5547&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 14, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89612 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA341 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89612/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89612 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA341 ## Probable cause The pilot's lapse in monitoring the airplane's speed during a low level aerial application maneuver and its subsequent stall during the maneuver. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: 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 aerial application pilot reported that he was "busy looking outside" the cockpit during a low altitude turn. He said that he felt the airplane stall and the airplane subsequently sustained substantial fuselage damage when it impacted terrain. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions that would have prevented normal operations. ## Factual narrative The aerial application pilot reported that he was "busy looking outside" the cockpit during a low altitude turn. He said that he felt the airplane stall and the airplane subsequently sustained substantial fuselage damage when it impacted terrain. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions that would have prevented normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5197U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5197U-2018-02-14), registration cancelled 2018-02-14, S/N 402A-1096, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 402B - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402b) (registry code 0390208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-34ag) (registry code 52251, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402A-1096 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 7933 - Engines: P&W Canada PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: King Ag Aviation Inc - Registered owner: King Ag Leasing Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 2014 - Departed: XA05, Sudan, TX - Destination: XA05, Sudan, TX - Airport: XA05, Fairview Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; last flight review November 23, 2012; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,250 total, 2,100 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 125 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KCVS, 39 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 20140626009799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140626009799A), Jun 26, 2014: Air Tractor Inc AT-402B, Sudan, TX, Substantial damage. On June 26, 2014, N51972, an AT-402B aircraft impacted terrain while maneuvering at low altitude during a spray job near Sudan, Texas. The pilot stated he put… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89612. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414323&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.