# NTSB CEN14CA464: Air Tractor AT 502B, N369AB, Colusa, IL, August 27, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 27, 2014, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Colusa, IL - Coordinates: 40.576389, -91.097778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5764&lon=-91.0978&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89969 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA464 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89969/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89969 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA464 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain control of the airplane during takeoff from a grass strip. Contributing was the airplane being loaded beyond its capability for the runway. ## 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: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; 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) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: 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 According to the pilot, prior to departure the airplane's hopper was "packed full" of seed. He taxied to the turf runway which was soft from recent rain and began the takeoff. The airplane rolled farther down the runway than the previous runs that day so he extended the flaps and the airplane became airborne. Just past the departure end of the runway, the landing gear dragged through the bean plants. The airplane flew another 50 yards until it began to settle into the field; the right wing contacted the beans and the airplane impacted terrain. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the right wing. The owner stated that the airplane was not loaded beyond the maximum gross weight; it was loaded to 7,000 lbs and the maximum gross weight was 8,000 lbs. It is likely that the airplane was too heavy to operate on the runway and the climb performance was decreased. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, prior to departure the airplane's hopper was "packed full" of seed. He taxied to the turf runway which was soft from recent rain and began the takeoff. The airplane rolled farther down the runway than the previous runs that day so he extended the flaps and the airplane became airborne. Just past the departure end of the runway, the landing gear dragged through the bean plants. The airplane flew another 50 yards until it began to settle into the field; the right wing contacted the beans and the airplane impacted terrain. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the right wing. The owner stated that the airplane was not loaded beyond the maximum gross weight; it was loaded to 7,000 lbs and the maximum gross weight was 8,000 lbs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N369AB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N369AB), registered now, S/N 502B-2653, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 502B (B) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (registry code 0390307) (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: 502B-2653 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 2219 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34AG turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Lindell Aerial Ag Service - Registered owner: West Central Aerial LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 20, 2014 - Departed: IL84, Colusa, IL - Destination: IL84, Colusa, IL - Airport: IL84, Douglas, runway 09, 2,300 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 25, 2014; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,564 total, 37 in this make and model, 1,416 as pilot in command, 313 in the last 90 days, 98 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KFSW, 11 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 20140827014139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140827014139A), Aug 27, 2014: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, Dallas City, IL, Substantial damage. Aircraft was overloaded on takeoff and settled in a soybean field past the runway. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 4, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89969. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415996&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415998&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%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.