# NTSB CEN15LA335: Air Tractor AT 502B, N502LH, Virden, IL, August 1, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 2015, 13:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: Virden, IL - Coordinates: 39.516666, -89.876113 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5167&lon=-89.8761&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 January 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91708 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA335 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91708/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91708 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA335 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to establish a proper airspeed during takeoff with the airplane near its maximum gross weight and with a quartering tailwind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified (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) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/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: [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) - [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) - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane had just been loaded and that he was beginning his sixth agricultural application flight of the day. He noted that, during the previous flights, the wind was from the southwest-southeast and less than 5 knots. Before departing on the sixth flight, he checked the wind sock, which indicated that the wind was from the southwest. He also checked his handheld GPS, which indicated that the local area wind was mainly from the west at 3 to 5 knots. The pilot started the takeoff roll on the runway heading west and noted that, three-quarters of the way down the runway, the airspeed had not yet reached takeoff speed. He jettisoned some of the load so that the airplane could clear the corn at the end of the runway. When the airplane cleared the corn, the pilot ceased the jettison. However, the airplane then began to descend, so the pilot jettisoned more of the load. The airplane continued to descend, banked hard left, and impacted the ground. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane was only about 30 lbs below its maximum gross weight. Witnesses stated that, immediately after the accident, the wind was from the southeast about 6 knots, which would have resulted in a quartering tailwind during the takeoff. It is likely that the combined effects of the airplane's near maximum gross weight and the quartering tailwind degraded the airplane's climb performance during takeoff. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 2015, at 1340 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B airplane, N502LH, impacted terrain after departure from the private Holzwarth Flying Service Airport, near Virden, Illinois. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by C & L Holzwarth Inc., Virden, Illinois, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, the airplane had just been loaded and he was beginning his sixth aerial application flight of the day. He noted that during the previous flights the wind was from the southwest/southeast and less than 5 knots. Prior to departure, he checked the wind sock which indicated the wind was from the southwest. He also checked his handheld GPS which indicated the local area winds were mainly from the west at 3-5 knots. The pilot started the takeoff roll on the west runway and noted that ¾ of the way down the runway the airspeed had not yet reached takeoff speed. He jettisoned some of the load in order to clear the corn at the west end of the runway. When the airplane cleared the corn, the pilot ceased the jettison. The airplane began to descend so the pilot resumed jettisoning the load. The airplane continued to descend, made a hard left bank and impacted the ground. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot returned to the airport by car 15 minutes after the accident and checked the wind sock which revealed the wind was from the southeast. The pilot was uncertain if the wind shifted during the accident takeoff roll. The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector confirmed substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings and empennage. The airplane came to rest in the corn field; it faced 180 degrees from the direction of departure heading and 1,200 feet from the end of the runway. Witnesses confirmed that immediately after the accident the wind was from the southeast about 6 knots. Also, the airplane was being operated within the weight limits. The maximum hopper load was 4,100 lbs; the hopper weight was 3,897.42 lbs. The maximum aircraft gross weight was 9,400 lbs; the actual airplane gross weight was 9,367 lbs. The airport was equipped with a single asphalt runway, 2,640 ft by 100 ft, oriented on a magnetic heading of 090 and 270. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N502LH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N502LH-2015-12-12), registration cancelled 2015-12-12, S/N 502B-2693, built 2009 (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 Canada PT6A-34AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-34ag) (registry code 52251, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502B-2693 - Year built: 2009 - Airframe hours: 2254 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34A 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: C & L Holzwarth Inc - Registered owner: C & L Holzwarth Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 28, 2015 - Departed: 25IL, VIRDEN, IL - Destination: 25IL, VIRDEN, IL - Airport: 25IL, Holzwarth Flying Service, runway 27, 2,640 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 17, 2014; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 11,710 total, 430 in this make and model, 11,576 as pilot in command, 290 in the last 90 days, 137 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 20150801011289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150801011289A), Aug 1, 2015: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, Virden, IL, Destroyed. Aircraft attempted a departure from 25IL (Holzwarth Flying Service airport) runway 27. During the chemical load and taxi to the runway the pilot verified the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91708. 1.6 MB in all. - Photos (item 1, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433686&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%0D%0A%0D%0A-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.