# NTSB CEN14CA366: Air Tractor AT 502B, N636LA, Cavalier, ND, July 11, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 11, 2014, 08:15 local (13:15 UTC) - Place: Cavalier, ND - Coordinates: 48.777778, -97.671669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7778&lon=-97.6717&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 89669 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA366 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89669/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89669 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA366 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control during the takeoff roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: hidden/submerged object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [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) - [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) ## Analysis The airplane was departing a rough, unimproved turf strip for an aerial application flight. During the takeoff, the airplane hit a small turf obstruction and the airplane became airborne prematurely. The airplane settled and the tailwheel collided hard with the ground followed by the main landing gear. The pilot lost control of the airplane as it porpoised and swerved to the right. He was unable to regain control of the airplane before it ground looped and the wing contact the ground. Substantial damage was sustained to the left wing. No preimpact anomalies were detected with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The airplane was departing a rough, unimproved turf strip for an aerial application flight. During the takeoff, the airplane hit a small turf obstruction and became airborne prematurely. The airplane settled and the tail wheel collided hard with the ground followed by the main landing gear. The pilot lost control of the airplane as it porpoised and swerved to the right. He was unable to regain control of the airplane before it ground looped and the wing contact the ground. Substantial damage was sustained to the left wing. No preimpact anomalies were detected with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: N636LA (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 502B - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502B-0636 - Year built: 2001 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34AG 750 lbs thrust turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Hinkle Aviation, doing business as Hinkle Aviation - Registered owner: Hinkle Air Spray Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: X, Cavalier, ND - Destination: X, Cavalier, ND - Airport: X, Private strip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 15 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: KHCO, 29 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 20140711011369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140711011369A), Jul 11, 2014: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, Cavalier, ND, Substantial damage. The pilot was operating from a private landing strip. Condtions were VMC and the strip was dry. During the takeoff roll, pilot hit a small burm 2/3RDS down the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 9, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89669. 127 KB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416330&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA (item 2, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416329&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.